Energous Corp., a semiconductors company based in San Jose, California, is eyeing to be in the lead against a handful of other companies aiming to introduce wireless distance charging.
How Does It Work?
Although wireless charging is not entirely new, wireless charging technologies are currently not hitting the mainstream. It is still a world of wires and charging cords. What Energous Corp. is introducing to the market is the use of Radio Frequency (RF) technology integrated in their product called WattUp.
Similar to a Wi-Fi router, WattUp differs from older purpose-defeating wireless charging technologies as it is capable of delivering power at a considerable distance of 3 to 15 feet away from multiple devices. It can be used at home, in the office, in coffee shops, in the car, et cetera; and allows the user to roam while charging. Mail Online describes charging via Radio Frequency (RF) technology as charging using 'thin air'.
When Will It Be Available To Consumers?
As reported by Bloomberg, Energous Corp. is looking at 2017 as the year that they may be able to make their product available to consumers. Energous Corp. did not provide details to Bloomberg as to the amount of power its devices are able to beam and other power efficiency specifics.
Jim McGregor, A Tirias Research analyst, said in an interview, "If we are not in the market where the majority of devices have wireless charging within five years, then we've done something critically wrong." Grand View Research, a business consulting firm, predicts that the market for wireless charging will grow from $1.87 billion in 2004 to $22.5 billion by 2022.
Even without a product in stores, the reason why Energous' share price has more than doubled this year is due to speculations that they are working with Apple Inc. to integrate RF technology in the iPhone.
