Wi-Charge: Long-range wireless charging for smart homes

At CES 2020, Wi-Charge introduced a wireless charger that can charge batteries even at a distance of 9 meters.

How many rechargeable appliances or batteries do you have in your home? If you have filled it with smart devices then we are probably talking about a double digit number. Wi-Charge took care of you. Build a long-range wireless charger that can rid you of a large number of cables, chargers or batteries in your home.

In the report CES 2020 organized these days in Las Vegas, the Wi-Charge presented the PowerPuck, a long-range wireless charger that plugs into a simple wall outlet or light bulb. Using Wi-Charge AirCord technology, you can wirelessly charge compatible smart devices or IoT devices from a distance of up to 9 meters.

Long-range wireless charging technology eliminates the need to replace batteries or operate various chargers and power cables. Charging occurs automatically when your device is within range of a suitable charger. And you only need to install one wireless charger to power multiple devices at the same time.

Installation could hardly have been easier. Wi-Charge provides adapters to make the PowerPuck compatible with sockets and wall sockets. Next, you do not need to pair the charger with the receiving devices. Automatically detects compatible receivers and activates power transfer.

Each PowerPuck can recognize and charge an unlimited number of devices, but only three at a time. Devices can request charging and will automatically disconnect once fully charged. Power is transmitted through infrared light and each device receives 2 Watts. Not a lot of energy, but for a static device with low power consumption it is quite good.

While wireless charging can work with mobile phones or tablets, it is more suitable for recharging static devices, such as a security camera or smoke detector. It can also power smart home appliances.

For those devices that do not have built-in wireless charging technology, Wi-Charge provides a half-size credit card receiver with a built-in m-USB or Lightning or 2-wire connector.

Wi-Charge is not the only company offering wireless charging remotely. Some of PowerPuck's competitors are Cota of Ossia or the Energous WattUp, who use radio frequency instead of infrared light.

Like its competitors, Wi-Charge does not aim to sell directly to consumers, but you can expect this technology to become more and more integrated into smart home appliances.