Robotically operated vehicle charging station

A method of automatically charging a battery of an electric vehicle comprising:

• detecting the presence of an electric vehicle;
• transitioning a robotic arm from a stowed position to an operational position, the robotic arm supporting an end effector configured to electrically couple with a receptacle disposed on the electric vehicle;
• guiding the end effector into a coupled engagement with the receptacle on the vehicle;
• and
• energizing the end effector to charge the battery.

A charging connector for coupling with a charging receptacle of an electric device, the charging connector comprising:

• a base;
• a plurality of electrical contacts extending from the base and configured to electrically couple with the charging receptacle of the electric device;
• and
• a retractable guide surrounding the plurality of electrical contacts and configured to transition between an extended state and a collapsed state, the retractable guide configured to align the charging connector with the charging receptacle when in an extended state.