The technology landscape of global wireless charging market is categorised into three broad types: electromagnetic inductive charging, electromagnetic resonant charging, and uncoupled radio frequency (RF) wireless charging.
The study found that the wireless charging concept is being utilised extensively across a number of industrial domains, from manufacturing, to healthcare and automotive. Its growing popularity is characterised by the technology’s potential to enhance charging mobility of numerous IoT-powered devices.
In the automotive landscape, remote charging technology is being used by key industry players like BMW, that has revealed plans to commercialise a wireless charging pad, designed to charge its hybrid 530e iPerformance model. The charging station will connect to a power outlet in the garage, charging the car wirelessly when parked in the correct position. The charging station will allow the 9.5kWh battery to reach full charge in just 3.5 hours.
Charging-on-the-go is also being explored by Qualcomm, with their development of the Halo wireless charging system, which is leveraging a remote charging technology called Dynamic Electric Vehicle Charging to supply power to vehicles moving at speeds of up to 70 mph. This is achieved through a 100m test track, with a wireless charging system installed underneath, designed to provide power specially for modified Kangoo electric vans, fitted with two 10kW charging pads.
Automotive applications are a major R&D focus for wireless technology researchers and research and development within the remote charging landscape tends to be largely focused on advancing futuristic technologies in the automotive sector, like dynamic wireless charging, which allows power supply even to moving vehicles.
In order to bring about progress in this space, smart roads are also being looked into by various authorities across the globe.
The Swedish government recently commissioned the first smart road in the world, that is designed to power both an electric bus and a truck via inductive charging. The £11 million project, developed by ElectReon, and backed by the government, is performing initial tests on a 1.6km stretch of road.
Meanwhile, Volvo Group Venture Capital has also announced their intention to fund Momentum Dynamics, which is working on delivering high-power inductive charging for EVs.
The investment is aimed at promoting higher adoption of wireless charging in electric vehicles, connected to an electrical power grid without cables or wires.
“The wireless charging industry has attracted a variety of companies,” explained Saloni Walimbe, Research Content Developer at Global Market Insights, “from start-ups to large conglomerates. Some major participants in the market now include, Qualcomm, PowerbyProxi, WiTricity Corporation, and Energizer Holdings.”
WiTricity, founded in 2007, is a pioneer in wireless charging technology, with several innovative and patented wireless electricity solutions. Spun-off from a wireless technology developed in the early 2000s by a team of physicists from MIT, and led by founder Professor Marin Soljacic, the company now offers several sophisticated wireless power transmission solutions to enable efficient long-distance power transfer in real-world applications.
According to Walimbe, “Many peripheral businesses are also embracing the technology, in order to inculcate a seamless charging experience into their offerings.”
For instance, OnePlus, the mobile phone manufacturer has recently joined the Wireless Power Consortium, which suggests that future product launches, including the impending OnePlus 8 launch, may feature wireless charging compatibility.
