Petrol station changes could allow drivers to pay from their cars or be helped by AI-powered robotic arm

The technology is currently only available in Germany at participating garages including Aral, Esso, HEM, Q1, Sprint, Team and Allguth.

The function will be available to customers equipped with the BMW Operating System 7, with 500,000 customers in Germany alone able to use the technology.

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There will be hopes that drivers in the UK will be able to benefit from the technology in the future by confirming the petrol station, selecting the pump number and paying from inside the car.

Once their engine has been switched off on arrival at the pump, the "Refuelling Payments" service will appear, allowing them to select the pump number followed by a notification via the My BMW app.

Customers are able to track past payments and refuelling processes at any time during the service in the vehicle and by using the app.

Motorists can also pay for parking from the comfort of their cars, with the vehicles being able to automatically recognise when the service is available.

When the vehicle leaves the parking space, the parking booking is automatically terminated, with the same feature working when paying per minute.

So far, the parking feature is available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

The German company confirmed that other countries will follow successively, with the UK likely to be one of the first choices to roll out the new technology.

The connected features allow motorists to choose their payment methods either from inside the car or when using the My BMW app.

This comes as petrol stations become more advanced. New technology has been used at filling stations across the United Arab Emirates with an "AI-powered refuelling arm".

Launched by ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) Distribution, the reuflling arms are being rolled out as pilots, with further plans to provide an AI-driven experience to customers.

When a vehicle stops in a refuelling area, the robotic arm uses sensors and cameras to extend towards the vehicle, open the fuel tank cap and align the nozzle to fill up the car.

Computer vision is used to complete the process and is designed to be fast. ADNOC Distribution also claims that it is environmentally friendly by managing spills.

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The technology is being trialled at ADNOC Distribution's Al Reem Island petrol station and is set to slash waiting times and boost productivity for existing staff.

According to the company, the preset data, in addition to the sensors and cameras, can recognise the car and fill it up based on the request of the driver.