Phone Needs a Chargin’? It’s OK, Your Dishwasher’s Got This


EnergousWirelessChargingWe all hate seeing our mobile devices go hungry. It’s more annoying than anything to be mid-text and see your smartphone at 5%. The lazy person inside of me would rather complain than get up and connect it to a wall charger. Then there’s wireless charging, which is yes, so convenient, and usually involves wireless charging pads like the Qi or Powermat. The newest idea involves electronic devices in your home, such as washing machines and refrigerators, that also have wireless charg bing capabilities. Two companies, electronics supremo Haier, and wireless charging expert Energous, are joining together to fashion wireless charging with ranges of up to 15 feet, and apply the technology to your home.

EnergousWirelessCharging1Energous is bringing what it calls WattUp technology to the project, the ability to “deliver power over the same radio bands as a Wi-Fi router”. Put WattUp transmitters into Haier’s appliances, and you’ve got a scenario of sitting on your couch, waiting for your clothes to dry as that working dryer re-juices your phone. The use of a fridge sounds like a super efficient charge, since most of us have our living room spaces somewhat near our kitchens. But, the closer the better. Within 5 feet you can get a 16 watt charge, 5-10 feet can push 8 watts, and something closer to fridge distance, like 10-15 feet pushes 4 watts. Wondering if this could work if you're farther away or upstairs? Through the extension of multiple antennas-sure.

EnergousWirelessCharging2Mobile devices will need the required receivers for this connection to work, so that could cause some limitations with different smartphone manufacturers. However, Energous claims it will work “with mobile accessory manufacturers that will embed their technology into accessories, such as smartphone cases”. So, problem solved! One thing that remains up in the air involves wasting energy by constantly pumping it into the air, even when it’s not being used for charging. Additionally, experts are concerned about health. No one likes to live next to electrical substations, do they? Would this kind of be like that? Lastly, would a constant electrical charge to your phone cause the battery to fail (Engadget)? Energous expects the charger to be ready late 2015 or early 2016, after it delivers its market-ready designs to hopeful partners next year.

Topics: Technology News Battery & Power Technology Gadgets & Peripherals Inventions & Innovations Smartphones & Mobile Devices

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