In a first of a kind device that will help us get rid of the tangle of cords: an Israeli company company called Wi-Charge says it can power up mobile devices through the air. Another Israeli company Powermat (now used by Duracell and GM) uses a conducting mat to replace these wires, and in effect the company is also working to charge electric cars, but Wi-Charge is somewhat different. It needs no mat and can follow you around the room, like WiFi.
However, you’d still need to have a stable connection for this device to run smoothly, so if you’re interested in investing in this device, also consider getting a signal booster.
A power “transmitter” is suspended from a high point in the room and this is connected to an existing electrical outlet. The Wi-Charge transmitter then generates a narrow beam of infrared light which hits a photovoltaic (light) receiver installed on a mobile device, like your wireless home speakers (yay!) or a cellular phone.
The receiver then converts the light energy into electric energy.
Even if you walk around the boardroom or are pacing the kitchen the Wi-Charge beam will follow. See it working in a restaurant setting below.
Wi-Charge is being developed by Israeli entrepreneur Victor Vaisleib and scientist Ortal Alpert, and they are funded by some well-knowns in the VC market including Terra Ventures Partners operating in the clean tech sphere.
For those worried about coming into contact with the “power” beam, the technology is not harmful to people staying in the room, the developers say, and the beam stops transmitting anyway if any object comes between the receiver-seeking Wi-Charge beam and the transmitter.
Author: Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist, innovation strategist, and founder of Green Prophet, one of the Middle East’s pioneering sustainability platforms. She has ranked in the Top 10 of Verizon innovation competitions, participated in NASA-linked challenges, and spoken worldwide on climate, food security, and future resilience. With an IoT technology patent, features in Canada’s National Post, and leadership inside teams building next-generation agricultural and planetary systems — including Mars-farming concepts — Karin operates at the intersection of storytelling, science, and systems change. She doesn’t report on the future – she helps design it. Reach out directly to [email protected]
Would like in request a quote when the device is available.
Thanks,
Axel Flores
Banquet Director
Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver
Interesting, let me know when commercially available.