Wireless Charging Standards
Applications & Products
Current charging standards remain controlled by the 3 base alliances - Qi, PMA and A4WP. This intense competition to gain traction and dominance in the booming wireless power industry has generated increasing interest in its feasibility and applicability. With more companies seeking membership and utilisation of wireless power in existing electronic technologies, consumers will soon be able to enjoy power in the palm of their hands; a world without cables.
This section aims to showcase some of the current uses of wireless technology. Although some remain prototypes, others are readily available online and inbuilt into newer devices.
In 2015, Toyota announced the inbuilt Qi wireless charging pad in their new Toyota Camry, which can charge any smartphone that’s Qi-enabled.
The utilisation of the pad is aimed to reduce wire clutter in the car with the current magnetic induction based charging. This could extend to multiple devices when Qi starts fitting vehicles with duo capable induction and resonant based wireless charging pads. Qi-standard wireless charging pads are already available in the US on the Jeep Cherokee, whilst the 2015 Cadillac ATS sport sedan offers a pad that supports both Qi and PMA standards.
Launched on kickstarter in 2015, Singapore based company Novelysys' Ampere is the world's first wireless charging sleeve. The only charger paired with a mobile application, users can control when charging starts and monitor their battery life. With detailed finishing and utilisation of Qi-standard wireless charging technology, they achieved 545 backers and $87,125 pledged of the original $60,000 goal. Ampere is now in production and provides free shipping to Singapore and the US.
A collaboration between Starbucks and Powermat (Leading figure in the PMA Standard), Starbucks now offers wireless charging mats in selected outlets in the US. Facilitating easy conversion by providing free keyrings, Powermat aims to sell these keyrings eventually below the 10 USD price margin. There are now apporximately 10,000 powermats in Starbucks across the US. Powermat has also established 'Powermat spots at The Coffe Bean & Tea Leaf, and MacDonalds amongst others.
WiTricity CEO Eric Giller's TED Talk in 2009 not only revolutionized the field of wireless charging but also provided a new level of attainment for wireless standards the world over. Then a prototype, WiTricity has become a key player in the wireless power industry, continuing research and testing on applying their pattented technology to daily electronics. This viral presentation not only emphasises the present capabilities, but provides an insight to the endless possibilities of high resonant power charging.