Energous Eyes Longer Charging Distances, Faces Headwinds

Energous is getting interest from device manufacturers in the consumer, IoT and other sectors after March release of its WattUp PowerHub developer kit, said Chief Financial Officer Brian Sereda on Wednesday Q1 call. The wireless charging company and partners continue to navigate COVID-19 challenges and chip shortages. Energous’ first partner product enabled with over-the-air wireless power will be launched later this year, he said. The company’s recent PowerHub certification, first of its kind in the EU, opens up the promise of RF wireless power transmission at distances beyond 1 meter and “well beyond 15 feet,” said Chief Operating Officer Cesar Johnston. “Technically, we can go up to 5.5 watts,” he said, “and there's no distance limitation” vs. the past 1-meter ceiling. The company continues to push power and transmission levels within regulatory limits and “well within safety limits,” he said. An FCC NPRM under Part 18 is under consideration to allow higher power and distance for wireless power transmission regulations, Johnston said. Revenue was $145,065 vs. $61,475 in the year-ago quarter.