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EV charging sucks — can smart cameras make it better?   

An overhead picture of one of Revel’s “Superhub” charging stations in New York.
Image: Revel

Public EV charging often involves juggling a variety of apps, each with its own bespoke sign-up process, and attempting (and often failing) to tap or swipe a credit card to pay for the charge. Occasionally, there’s a QR code involved. Overall, it’s a pain in the ass — and an obstacle to widespread EV adoption.

Now, one EV charging operator is betting that computer vision can help take the stress out of it. Revel, the shared moped-turned-ridehail service, is partnering with a startup called Juice to install smart cameras at its EV charging sites in New York City that are mostly utilized by rideshare drivers. By using computer vision, Juice can identify the model and license plate of the vehicle in need of charging and, then after an…

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