Startup hopes to extend the range of wireless...

Startup hopes to extend the range of wireless charging.

Current generation ‘wireless’ charging (induction charging) rely on objects being placed very close together to allow charging, like this Powermat. Now startup company Witricity hopes to extend that range, and is hoping to have its first products on the market this year.

Rather than use potentially harmful laser or microwave transmission, Witricity still uses the traditional magnetic coil system as used in devices with shorter range, but by making larger coils they have been able to send power over distances of about a meter.

The company currently has a contract with Toyota to charge electric vehicles (pictured), and has a partnership with a Taiwanese electronics company to bring the technology to portable electronics. They have also developed a wireless keyboard and mouse that can be powered from a computer monitor, eliminating the need for batteries.

technologyreview.com