Subscriber Discussion

Wireless Power: What Will You Use It For?

U
Undisclosed #1
Oct 05, 2015
IPVMU Certified

After many false starts and a few outright frauds, it looks like there is a viable power delivery via radio waves in the offing.

The claim? To be able to charge multiple mobile devices within a thirty foot radius without wires.

The product is called Watt-Up and the company Engergous. Here's a demo or two:

Next big thing, 2017?

(1)
JH
John Honovich
Oct 05, 2015
IPVM

How does this relate to the much hyped uBeam?

U
Undisclosed #1
Oct 05, 2015
IPVMU Certified

uBeam is ultraSound and short(er) range:

Btw, Energous is already a public company, so there is more info, like:

Source: seekingalpha

Avatar
Brian Rhodes
Oct 05, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Being the top end power for this tech is 10 watts or less within 15 feet, the number of applications are pretty limited.

ie: 10 watts/12 VDC = 833 mA, or 10W/24VDC = 416 mA

Think of really weak batteries, but worse.

(1)
(1)
U
Undisclosed #1
Oct 05, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Run a camera or two though, no?

Another thing, this spreads its power in a 360 pattern, higher power and longer range could be achieved by using directional beams. As long as you don't fry anyone in between...

(1)
U
Undisclosed #1
Oct 05, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Being the top end power for this tech is 10 watts or less within 15 feet, the number of applications are pretty limited.

How about never having to charge your iPhone or IPad again?

Avatar
Scott Bradford
Oct 05, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Think about it for residential wireless though. Imagine a Drop Cam that you can literally stick on the wall and forget about... wireless power coming in, wireless signal going out. How many consumers will jump on that? A baby monitor camera that you don't have to worry about a cord falling into a crib and choking the baby? A front door camera or intercom on a brick facade or arched doorway that's impossible to get a cable to?

I used to work a lot with law enforcement and covert items and the dream of a true 'James Bond' wireless device that wouldn't be limited in size or battery power was something we always wanted. The range needs to grow a little bit, but it's on the right track. The capacity doesn't really bother me all that much. Think of anything small that runs on batteries, that isn't really well suited to being AC powered... and you have a candidate for this. Starbucks I bet is the first adopter of this, until they get bought out by Google and integrated into Drop Cam

(3)
(1)
Avatar
Hal Bennick
Oct 06, 2015
Trafficware, a CUBIC Company

I just want to be able to shoot lightning bolts out of my eyes.

(5)
Avatar
Scott Bradford
Oct 12, 2015
IPVMU Certified

How about using this technology to send power to (or recharge) wireless door locks? Build the transmitter into the wall unit and 'beam' power to a wireless lock set? How would you like to never have to change batteries, especially on high activity lock sets? Think that Schlade would benefit from that?

(2)
Avatar
Brian Rhodes
Oct 12, 2015
IPVMU Certified

Similiar to Wireless Door Power (Securitron ICPT)?

(Up to .5A@12VDC)

(1)
U
Undisclosed #1
Jan 01, 2016
IPVMU Certified

Another company Xe, claims 16 foot charging radius.

Artist conception of what the $200 device would look like.

U
Undisclosed #1
Dec 27, 2017
IPVMU Certified
JH
John Honovich
Dec 29, 2017
IPVM

From a former Ubeam Engineering VP's post on Energous FCC approval:

to have done the bare minimum to get an approval on a essentially pointless and impractical device that doesn't actually charge at a noticeable rate, but that turns the charge light on, and as it's such a technically complex issue very few people understand what it means, see "FCC Approval", and that's it.

  • Fails to charge a phone with a measly 100 mW at best (about 10x lower than needed)
  • Unsafe for humans or animals closer than 50cm
  • Highly inefficient, around 99% loss

I don't know enough about the space or Energous to comment but found this relevant to this discussion.

U
Undisclosed #1
Dec 29, 2017
IPVMU Certified

It’s probably just “Big Oil” throwing shade to protect their hegemony ;)

Fails to charge a phone with a measly 100 mW at best (about 10x lower than needed)

Wondering what it would take to keep the batteries on an Arlo or Blink charged.

Avatar
Cary Menage
Dec 27, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Very Smart (bidirectional data flow) Encrypted credentials (fobs) to replace RFID....

(If nobody (ahem HID) else has registered this idea with USPTO, I hereby claim to be the 1st  :)

U
Undisclosed #1
Jan 01, 2018
IPVMU Certified

Also receiving FCC approval was Powercast, claiming to be able to charge home automation sensors up to 80 ft away, and products in Q3.

U
Undisclosed #1
Jan 01, 2018
IPVMU Certified

Development kit in stock at mouser for $1250.

 

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