Changing the batteries: wireless power in the home
Another area that innovation in wireless technology can help improve is in home entertainment and electronics, where the issue of batteries really comes to the fore.
Think of the amount of devices you have in your house that are battery-operated – remote controls for TVs, Hi-Fi systems and games consoles, children’s toys and in some cases even electronic toothbrushes, razors and hairdryers.
That is a lot of technology that can just run out of power at any time, leaving you hoping that the famous ‘turn the batteries around’ trick works or that you actually have a few spares lying hiding in the back of a drawer somewhere. Thankfully, we’ve seen some great ideas from finalists in the element14 Community Wireless Power Challenge, providing a far more practical solution to battery-operated equipment.
Future-proof power
Hendrik Lipka and Martin Puig, both of Germany, have both addressed wireless power in the home in their entries; suggesting a charger station and wireless power solutions for battery-operated children’s toys and television remotes respectively.
In his project, Hendrik Lipka aims to continue the work he has done independently adding wireless power to his son’s night light by designing a wireless power solution for his snowplough toy, which is powered by 8 AA battery cells, resulting in up to 12V.
The challenge is to find a way of wirelessly producing the equivalent power and making the batteries rechargeable. You can see his progress on his personal blog.
Meanwhile, Martin Puig is tackling the remote control market, focusing initially on his TV and looking to solve the problem of getting stuck on one channel when the batteries run out.
If successful, by developing a wireless power solution and charging station for remote controls, this could help pave the way for similar alternatives to other types of remote control, music to ears of Hi-Fi enthusiasts and gamers.
Looking beyond Europe, we also saw some great ideas such as a wireless charged robotic vacuum cleaner, which returns to its charging station automatically from Xu Weijie in China; and a wireless power base to charge smoke alarms, doorbells and telephone alerting devices for people with disabilities from Malcolm Whinfield, Australia.
With so much innovation in devices throughout the home, it seems strange that we’re still relying on turning around batteries to get things to work. What we’re seeing in our latest challenge is that wireless power is now a viable solution and one that companies will soon start to embrace.
About the author:
Dianne Kibbey is Global Head of Community, element14 – www.element14.com
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The Wireless Power Challenge for the medtech industry
Changing the batteries: wireless power in the home
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