Semi Conscious
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iniewski
Funny enough after posting the above commnet I read that Stabucks is ...
iniewski
Perhaps...but using your example of Starbucks with a charging mat: is this going ...
The Wild West landscape of wireless charging
Dylan McGrath
10/31/2012 12:01 PM EDT
Consumers will decide
While several big name tech companies have joined organizations such as the Wireless Power Consortirum—which has developed a standard called Qi—and the Alliance for Wireless Power, Cross said technologies being sold in the consumer space have to date mostly overpromised and under delivered. And while vendors rattle their sabers in support of standards based on their own proprietary technologies, Cross said consumer would ultimately decide which technologies live and die.
"Ultimately, these debates and battles get settled by the customer," Cross said. "We are taking a pragmatic approach—we believe that is likely what the market will do here."
The technology licensed from the University of Auckland extends to 30 functional areas in the consumer field relating to an inductively coupled power transfer system design and apparatus. With the license deal, Power by Proxi now has more than 125 patents with more than 900 claims, according to the company.
Though the company spun out of the University of Auckland in 2007, Cross said Power by Proxi has largely developed its own patent portfolio. But the new deal gives the company access to a lot of IP that the firm may choose to use in the future development of its products and platforms, he said.
"It gives us access to what we think is arguably the most valuable body of prior art in the space," Cross said." It is a space where eventually patents and IP will be very important."
Related stories:
While several big name tech companies have joined organizations such as the Wireless Power Consortirum—which has developed a standard called Qi—and the Alliance for Wireless Power, Cross said technologies being sold in the consumer space have to date mostly overpromised and under delivered. And while vendors rattle their sabers in support of standards based on their own proprietary technologies, Cross said consumer would ultimately decide which technologies live and die.
"Ultimately, these debates and battles get settled by the customer," Cross said. "We are taking a pragmatic approach—we believe that is likely what the market will do here."
The technology licensed from the University of Auckland extends to 30 functional areas in the consumer field relating to an inductively coupled power transfer system design and apparatus. With the license deal, Power by Proxi now has more than 125 patents with more than 900 claims, according to the company.
Though the company spun out of the University of Auckland in 2007, Cross said Power by Proxi has largely developed its own patent portfolio. But the new deal gives the company access to a lot of IP that the firm may choose to use in the future development of its products and platforms, he said.
"It gives us access to what we think is arguably the most valuable body of prior art in the space," Cross said." It is a space where eventually patents and IP will be very important."
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SylvieBarak
10/31/2012 2:42 PM EDT
"proponents believe 2013 could be a big year for the technology." - wasn't 2010 supposed to be the big year of wireless power? and 2011? and 2012?
I even remember being in an Intel Developer Forum keynote in 2009 and hearing Rattner talk about how we were on the cusp of wireless technology.
Hell, Tesla thought we were on the cusp of it almost 100 years ago....
Wireless power needs to step it up already...
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iniewski
11/1/2012 1:11 PM EDT
I am not clear on value proposition of this technology, is this only no need to carry the charger, or something more that I am missing?
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dylan.mcgrath
11/1/2012 2:43 PM EDT
No need to carry the charger, no need to look for the charger, no need to untangle the charger, no need to get mixed up on which charger to use. Plus, with one pad supporting all of your devices, you don't need to tie up 10 electrical outlets. It's clear to me this is the way forward. In addition to the convenience, think about the reduction in expense and materials use associated with making far few single-purpose charging cords. Bring it on, I say.
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iniewski
11/1/2012 2:48 PM EDT
thank you Dylan, but this is not as simple...you don't need to carry the charger but you need to carry the charging mat, is that really that different?...and the charging process is less efficient than by wires so you are losing the energy, this is not green, not so cool...what about health risks? you are broadcasting lots of RF power, much more than for RF communication, is that a problem? Kris
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dylan.mcgrath
11/1/2012 3:16 PM EDT
@kris- thanks for your comments/questions. I think the idea is--still admittedly a long way off--you don't need to carry the charging pad, because just about anywhere you would go where you might expect to plug in, there will be a charging pad(s) there for you to set your device on to recharge. If you go to Starbucks, you can slap your phone down on the pad (same if you go to your buddy's house, etc.) In your house, you will have several to choose from. This of course requires some standardization effort which is still looming.
As for health risks, I can't speak to that. I believe that is an issue if you are going to be broadcasting over distance. But if the device is in close proximity, I don't think this is a problem.
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iniewski
11/1/2012 3:58 PM EDT
Perhaps...but using your example of Starbucks with a charging mat: is this going to be one mat per cafe? that might create lineup to use it...many mats?...what if the mat doesn't work? (outlets usually do work)...what if people start spilling coffee over it? who owns the mat, does the cleaning? what happens if it gets stolen? there are many operation issues...as far as health is concerned what if kids start sticking their fingers between the mat and the device to be charged? who is liable if something happens? Starbucks? again, many, many safety and regulatory issues to be resolved...Kris
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iniewski
11/2/2012 4:29 PM EDT
Funny enough after posting the above commnet I read that Stabucks is implementing a pilot program in Boston of 17 locations offering wireless mats...so I am wrong and behind ;-)...but what devices have that wireless charging capability implemented?
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