Five Companies Leading the Way in Wireless Electricity
Wireless electricity is not a new concept. Nikola Tesla first used it in 1899 when he lit up a group of lightbulbs from 25 miles away from the power hub. According to Interesting Engineering, wireless power was one of his favorite topics. Throughout his life, he worked to build energy stations that would work with wireless power transmissions. One of his ideas, transmitting messages wirelessly at long distances using balloons, was the earliest example of the modern technology we are beginning to enjoy today. However, his idea never took off because it was more cost-effective to use copper wiring. Its earliest contemporary examples were telemetry, satellite communications, and radio frequency identification. Since then, the applications for this technology have grown substantially, and more consumers and businesses rely on it for daily activities and day-to-day operations.
Although many people mistakenly think wireless electricity is similar to transmitting information on the internet or through another electronic device, there are several key differences. Primarily, wireless electricity uses microwave transmissions. Even though it has been around for several hundred years, it is only now making it into the mainstream. Nowadays, wireless electricity is a growing trend with widespread usage in the automotive and health care industry—additionally, used in some of the biggest sports stadiums across the country. With the rise in consumers choosing electric vehicles and the growing necessity to stay connected at all times, wireless electricity has already grown leaps and bounds from Nikolas Tesla’s example. Many companies across the globe are already collaborating with top engineers to move this impressive technology along. Moreover, many companies are working towards bringing new and exciting cutting-edge technology. These are the five companies leading the way in wireless electricity
5. VoltServer
This company began as a startup venture and is now the first to roll out electricity in a “natively digital format.” Since 2011, they remain on the cutting edge of digital electricity. Volt Server’s platform is so consistent in the way it powers electrically used. Another standout on VoltServer is that they provide “intellignet premise-based power solutions” that effectively use digital electricity stemming from hubs. This type of technology makes their customer’s everyday interactions smoother and more seamless. According to Voltserver, several important things happened to the company in 2021. First, they were the finalist for the US Airforce’s AFWERX innovation change. Additionally, they won the Connected Real Estate Tech Award and a mention in the Liberty Global’s 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report for building a unique network infrastructure.
4. Ossia
Physicist Hatem Zeine founded the company in 2008. Ossia’s corporate headquarters are now in Redmond, Washington. One of their standouts from other companies is they use streamlined energy to keep devices charged even if they are not close to their patented RF smart antenna. Additionally, their devices quickly charge multiple devices without any additional work from the customers. According to Ossia, they feel theirs’ is the “truly wire-free, powered-up world.” Ossia is also the licensing provider for Cota technology which enables devices to become transmitters. Essentially, Cota technology has a dialogue with your devices by sending a beacon signal. Afterward, a transmitter sends power back along the same paths. The exchange takes place at a speed of a hundred seconds. Moreover, multiple devices connected to the supply will receive power at the same time.
3. WiTricity
Two years after the company started in 20074, they received their first patent. WiTricity began with a group of MIT physicists, including Professor Marin SoljaCiC. Together, they worked towards creating wireless technology which uses magnetic fields which pair with different frequencies. The first time they showed the world what their technology could do, they used a 60 watt lightbulb and powered it from 2 meters away, a feat written about in the journal of Science in July 2007. Despite this seemingly small feat, it proved that their ideas weren’t just theories. MIT holds the only intellectual patent for the technology. Today, they have an electric grid that has helped not only individuals but also corporations. In the future, they are hoping to take this technology to the next level using it to power electric vehicles.
2. Powercast
This company has been around since 2003 and started in a coffeehouse in Pittsburgh. One of the biggest problems with our smartphones is when they run out of power at the worst moments. The mission of this company is to provide charging solutions that don’t require wires or any other charging surfaces. All a customer will need is a tiny receiver on their device. According to Powercast, they are one of the original providers of long-range and power over-distance wireless charging. Power cast services convert RF energy, also known as radio waves, to DC Power. Additionally, the company has waterproof options and works on smart bands to digital power watches. Over the years, Powercast has won numerous awards and 42 patents, with 29 still pending.
1. Energous
This company is the only one approved for near-field and far-field charging. According to Energous, “from charging electronic devices on charging surface to charging networks of sensors in an industrial application, we have you covered.” It’s an apt statement because the company is consistently working towards new technology to make mobile device charging businesses and residential consumers much more seamless. The company operates in various fields, including defense and public safety, health and medical, automotive, and retail. The company has won numerous awards for its RF-based technology. Many times users can charge their devices over the airwaves. Energous received the first FCC Part 18 certified at-a-distance charging solution. Additionally, there are several standouts from the competition. No other company provides second-generation wireless charging. Additionally, their technology works in 112 countries, including Europe, Japan, and North America. Moreover, they have a team of world-class engineers who know RF analog, mixed-signal IC, antennas, software, and system design inside and out.