Wi-Charge Offering Wireless Charging Through Light Beams

While it may seem like the entire world is in a pandemic-related holding pattern, there are still signs of life coming from the consumer technology sector.  The winners of this year’s Edison Best New Product Awards, referred to by some as “the Oscars of innovation,” were announced this week, providing a welcome distraction from the ongoing global predicament.  “Medals” were awarded in categories ranging from aerospace innovation and industrial design to health-and-wellness and energy-and-sustainability. Within the broader categories are subcategories that recognize technological achievements in specific fields, such as data management and network security. The “gold medal” in the wireless solutions subdivision of the Consumer Electronics and Information Technology category this year was awarded to Wi-Charge, the Israeli based long-range wireless power company, for their R1 Wi-Charger with AirCord wireless charging system.

The R1 Wi-Charger is the world’s first plug-and-play wireless power solution for smart home devices, and requires no additional at-home configuration, according to the company. Approximately the same size as a wall thermostat, the R1 can charge compatible smart home devices from a distance of up to 30 feet.  The unit itself is essentially an infrared light transmitter that transfers power via a laser beam to a receiver which utilizes s a miniature photo-voltaic cell to convert light into electricity. The transmitter can be plugged into a typical wall outlet or lightbulb socket, while the receiver can either be embedded within a device or connected with an existing charging port, meaning almost any smart device can be made compliant with the charger.  The company claims the charger can deliver several watts of power to a single device and is capable of charging multiple devices simultaneously.

“Thomas Edison changed the world when his light bulb converted electricity to light,” boasted Yuval Boger, Chief Marketing Officer of Wi-Charge. “Wi-Charge is changing the world by using light to transfer electricity without wires. Light is the best technology for wireless power and using light, Wi-Charge efficiently delivers significant power levels that do not disappear with distance, all while meeting consumer safety regulations. That’s why more and more partners are harnessing our wireless power technology to solve previously unsolved problems.”

Because the system is transmitting power through a beam of light, the transmitter must maintain “line of sight” with the receiver in order to continue charging.  Wireless devices that are worn under clothing (like heart monitors) or in pockets or purses (like cell phones) can’t be charged without exposing them to the beam.  The beam is entirely contained between the transmitter and the receiver, meaning anyone standing nearby isn’t exposed to any radiated energy as long as they stay out of the path of the beam. If the path between the transmitter and the receiver is broken for any reason, charging is immediately suspended until line of sight is reestablished.

While Wi-Charge’s technology is currently confined to a relatively small scale, the potential for wirelessly charging devices via infrared light could be very large. Imagine an entire fleet of drones charging at once via a single transmitter at a great distance, like from the safety of a ship anchored several miles offshore.  The line-of-sight requirement limits the possible applications somewhat, but light beams can travel virtually limitless distances if they’re strong enough. A transmitter connected to a solar power array and placed at an optimal location (i.e. higher ground) could theoretically provide power for an entire university or company campus – or even a small village. Such a system could be extremely beneficial to areas of the world without electrical infrastructure already in place. There’s a long way to go before we get to that point, but we’ll keep an eye on this technology to monitor where it goes from here.