The Promise of Wireless Magnetic Power Resurfaces at CES
The concept of using magnetic induction as a means of providing wireless power to gadgetheads eager to rid themselves of the tangle of adapters cluttering desks and filling carry-ons, has been around for a while. The fact that the market has not seen a reliable prototype, as well as some unfulfilled hype has lead some to question whether the technology is real, but this year at CES two companies took the lead in jumping on an idea that if it works, could become wildly popular and possibly profitable. These are Powermat and Leggett and Platt/Fulton Innovation.
Without going going into technical details that I'm not qualified to explain, basically the two approaches both do away with metal-to-metal, power adapter reliant connections, instead working off a scenario where a surface, imbued with AC power acts as a charging base/power source for virtually any gadget or appliance that you lay on it; thus the wireless moniker. Because each system is "smart" in that it automatically provides the appropriate charge for each device, the difference between the two approaches is how the exact amount of power is determined. Powermat's technology does this via a device specific skin with an embedded chip that your gadget is fitted into prior to being laid on the empowered surface, while Leggett and Platt/ Fulton's eCoupled technology seems to rely on signals emitting from the devices themselves via batteries or built-in components. Both systems seem capable of utilizing coils that can be laid on the power surface, with specific power needs parsed out via adapters; mini-USB or otherwise. Taking the information visible in the videos below shot at CES it would seem that Leggett and Platt/Fulton are taking more of an industrial approach utilizing large desktop setups while Powermat seems more focused, at least for now, on travel or at least more scaled surfaces. Although it is way too early to choose one over the other, consumers leaning toward efficient, wireless power technology should take note that Powermat is quoting prices of around $100 for the Powermat and about $30 for each device skin, versus Leggett and Platt's noncommittal response to anything related to price. This question mark regarding price makes sense since their model would seem to necessitate cooperation on the part of manufacturers. If everything goes well, there are offerings planned from both in the latter portion of '09.
Regardless of who gets my gadget charging business in the short run, if magnetic induction power succeeds in becoming a viable option for the future, it could be a game changer. Just imagine how wireless power embedded into the walls we live and work between will change where you place flatscreen TVs, lighting fixtures, appliances and workstations. Maybe it's the fact that I just laid out many thousands of dollars to have my house rewired, but I think the changes will be huge.
Check out videos below for each technology from CES 2009.
Powermat
Leggett and Platt/Fulton Innovation
--Tom Milnes
UGG Coquette on April 03, 2010 at 03:00 AM
Self-distrust is the cause of most of our failures.Some people pretend to despise the things they cannot have cheap ed hardy.Man can climb to the highest herve leger dress summit, but he cannot dwell there long.http://www.edhardy-buy.com/The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.