Wireless power technology heats up
September 8, 2015
In the late 19th century, the legendary inventor Nikola Tesla proposed the creation of an international system for transmitting electricity wirelessly.
Wireless power refers to the transmission of electricity without the use of solid wires. The appeal of a wirelessly-powered world is obvious. The primary problem with wireless power has not changed since Tesla dreamed up the idea more than a century ago. It is an inefficient way of transmitting electric power, especially over long distances. Now, a new stable of startup companies are attempting to achieve a more modest version of what Tesla had proposed. Founded in 2011, uBeam is developing technology that transmits power wirelessly in the form of ultrasonic waves. The waves create microscopic vibrations that can be converted into an electrical charge for anything with a battery. uBeam has raised about $13 million from investors, including Upfront Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Marissa Mayer, Tony Hsieh and Mark Cuban, among others. The company's first product, a wireless transmitter for recharging smartphones, is scheduled for release next year. Consumer electronic devices, especially smartphones, are a key market for wireless power companies. But the Internet of Things is the real prize. And uBeam is not the only company trying to grab a big share of it. Several other companies are also competing for the same crown and not all of them are startup companies. Here are a few of the more notable efforts:
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