Robotic Gas Pump for Autonomous Vehicle Refueling

An autonomous gas pump system comprising:

• a fuel dispensing system having a fuel dispensing unit and a user interface for autonomous refueling of a vehicle;
• a payment module;
• a robotic arm;
• and
• a flexible hose;
• wherein said fuel dispensing unit having a housing and a foundation;
• wherein said user interface mounted to said housing;
• wherein said user interface having a keypad and a display screen for displaying types of fuel and costs of fuel available for selection;
• wherein said display screen having a touchscreen;
• wherein said user interface providing input selections selected from the group consisting of a fuel type, a fuel amount, and a fuel dollar amount;
• wherein said payment module operable to receive user credentials and payment information to authorize fuel purchases using said fuel dispensing system;
• wherein said robotic arm connected to said housing;
• wherein said robotic arm selectively extendable and retractable relative to said housing;
• wherein said robotic arm autonomously locates, aligns with, and engages a fuel inlet of the vehicle;
• wherein said robotic arm having a proximity sensor for detecting said fuel inlet of the vehicle;
• and
• further wherein said fuel nozzle having a torque sensor for detecting resistance to guide insertion of said fuel nozzle into said fuel inlet of the vehicle.

A method for autonomous fueling of a vehicle at a gas pump, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a fuel dispensing system having a fuel dispensing unit and a user interface for autonomous refueling of a vehicle, a payment module, a robotic arm, and a flexible hose, wherein said fuel dispensing unit having a housing and a foundation, wherein said user interface mounted to said housing;
• connecting said robotic arm to said housing;
• displaying types of fuel and costs of fuel at said user interface for selection, wherein said user interface having a keypad and a display screen, wherein said display screen having a touchscreen, wherein said user interface providing input selections selected from the group consisting of a fuel type, a fuel amount, and a fuel dollar amount;
• receiving user credentials and payment information at said payment module to authorize fuel purchases using said fuel dispensing system;
• selectively extending and retracting said robotic arm relative to said housing, wherein said robotic arm autonomously locates, aligns with, and engages a fuel inlet of the vehicle;
• detecting said fuel inlet of the vehicle with a proximity sensor of said robotic arm;
• detecting resistance with a torque sensor of said fuel nozzle to guide insertion of said fuel nozzle into said fuel inlet of the vehicle;
• and
• engaging said fuel nozzle with said fuel inlet of the vehicle for transferring the fuel.