Wireless Charging Seen at CES in Wide Range of Form Factors, Applications

Wireless charging is in the news at CES in various form factors and applications. A six-in-one, MFi-certified, Qi-based nightstand charger and device organizer from Pita incorporates a convertible lightning USB-C tablet charger, standard USB type-A and USB-C side ports and a storage drawer. The Air Omni supports charging for up to six iOS and Android devices including smartphones, a smartwatch, wireless earbuds, tablet and other devices, it said. Price wasn’t given. Energous’ WattUp technology is being shown in personal sound amplification devices from SK Telesys, NewSound and Serene Innovations. Energous and ZPower are showcasing their micro-battery wireless reference design aimed at small electronic devices such as hearing aids. All five sensors in The Gokhale Method’s SpineTracker are charged by WattUp from a single charging service, Energous said. New York-based startup Yank Technologies is showing a center console wireless charger for the automotive market based on three-dimensional antenna arrays and new amplifier designs, it said. Yank is demonstrating the technology in Eureka Park with output power of approximately 20 watts, capable of charging multiple devices simultaneously, it said. The company is also showcasing its MotherBox, calling it the “first true wireless charger with no contact required.”