Portable Power Vexing Issue for New Products

By Stewart Wolpin

Las Vegas, Nevada–Arguably the greatest problem in technology advancement is portable power. We are continually changing or recharging batteries, or frantically searching for an AC outlet. Five companies at CES are demonstrating a solution to this vexing problem: long-distance power transmission, AKA far field wireless charging.

Essentially, the idea is similar to Wi-Fi, only substitute low power – usually around one watt – for data connectivity. A transmitter, like a router, broadcasts an RF, IR or ultrasound signal (which depends on the company) that is then transformed into power for a smart doorbell, a Wi-Fi security camera, sensors, and other low-draw devices. With far field wireless charging, devices would simply be continually trickle charging.

Pictured is the PowerCast PowerSpot transmitter ($99), and two versions of its Grips, a Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controller, which can be recharged simply by placing each within a couple of feet of the RF PowerSpot.

Energous’ RF far field wireless power system is branded WattUp, and the company is showing Dialog, the first hearing aid that can be wirelessly recharged.

Ossia, another RF far field wireless purveyor, is hawking its Cotta-branded iPhone X Forever battery sleeve.

Israeli far field wireless power company Wi-Charge uses infrared (IR) to transmit power. At CES, the company is demonstrating a number of products, including a Wireless Power Kit with a transmitter and a cradle to provide wireless power to an Amazon Dot or a Google Chrome Home Mini.

And a company called uBeam, which uses ultrasound to transmit low power, is simply demonstrating working proof-of-concept transmitters prototypes.

The hope for all these companies is to one day eliminate the need to plug-in low power devices for recharging since they’d be continually charging via far field wireless transmitters.