Wireless charging technology is wonderful except for the fact breakthroughs and advancements in the tech have been few and far between the past couple of years.
On one hand, it is frustrating but on the other it means we have yet to crack the surface on the potential of wireless charging technology moving forward.
San Jose, California-based Energous recently unveiled a new wireless router, or “energy router”, at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The innovative energy router from Energous can charge mobile devices using a combination of Bluetooth, radio frequency (RF), and the company’s proprietary WattUp technology.
Why is this idea potentially revolutionary for wireless charging technology?
Well, for starters, Energous’ WattUp routers have the means to completely eliminate wall outlets and other kinds of charging docks because efficient wireless charging would render not only the outlets but also charging cords obsolete.
How It Works
WattUp transmitters are able to locate and charge compatible devices by first identifying them via low-energy Bluetooth.
The transmitters themselves can serve as standalone energy routers or simply be built/inserted into household objects.
Incredibly, each individual unit can charge 12 devices simultaneously!
From there, the router establishes a connection with the device or devices and the transmitter employs RF in order to deliver safe and cable-free energy to a receiver unit at distances of up to 20 feet.
The connected devices can then be charged similarly to if they were plugged into normal wall outlets thanks to the RF being converted to DC energy at the receiver’s end.
While the actual charging zone is small, the idea itself and ramifications on wireless charging technology as a whole are huge.
It is worth noting that users of the WattUp technology can extend charging zones by arranging multiple receivers in a web, allowing for instantaneous transitions between transmitters.
Future Of The Technology
Energous has announced a collaboration agreement with Taiwanese manufacturing corporation Foxconn, producer of Apple’s iPhone, to further develop WattUp technology and identify potential applications in future Foxconn products.
“Our collaboration with Foxconn gives Energous tremendous access to a company that is at the forefront of technology for consumer electronics.” Stephen R. Rizzone, CEO of Energous Corporation, said in a press release. “The fact that initial product designs have come together so quickly demonstrates the strength of our partnership as well as the ease of integrating WattUp technology.”
In addition to a deal already established with South Korea’s SK Telesys, Energous is actively seeking more partners as the company strives to bring its technology to market as early as 2016.
