At the 2020
Edison Awards, Israel-based Wi-Charge won Gold in the Consumer Electronics and
Information Technology Solutions category for an innovative smart home device
solution. A panel of more than 3,000 business executives representing companies
around the world selected the winner.
“After a
thorough review, the Edison Awards judges recognize the R1 Wi-Charger for smart
home devices as a game-changing innovation standing out among the best new
products and services launched in their category,” Frank Bonafilia, executive
director of the Edison Awards, stated in early April.
The Edison
Awards were founded in 1987 as an annual competition to recognize excellent in
innovative new products, services and businesses
and the people behind them. Named after Thomas Alva Edison, who became world
famous for his inventions and was awarded more than 1,000 patents, the Edison
Awards honor “game changing” leadership and innovation.
The
competition is open to innovators around the world, and entries are judged on
concept, value, delivery, and impact. Along with third-party validation,
winners get international recognition and significant market value for their
work.
Aircord Technology
Wi-Charge
was recognized for its R1 Light Bulb, which is described as the “first DIY
plug-and-play power solution for smart home devices.” The ultra-compact device
with built with Wi-Charge’s “aircord” technology, which is easy to install and
takes the place of batteries and power cords.
The “Light
Bulb” is a long-range wireless charger for smart and IoT devices that can be
plugged into a wall outlet or screwed into an Edison lightbulb socket. It can
power devices as far as 30 feet away. Other attributes include: the ability to
support multiple clients; delivery of 100 megawatts of usable power; dimensions
of 94x94x40
millimeters; easy installation; and delivery of constant power. Commercial
samples are now available to qualified Wi-Charge partners.
The round
R1 device is just bigger than a Nest thermostat and is outfitted with both an
outlet adapter and an Edison screw adapter. That way, it can be directly
installed in standard wall outlets and many light fixtures.
The device doesn't
need to be tuned, configured, or calibrated. Users can simply plug it in, and
it automatically finds compatible receivers as small as half an inch square and
begins transferring power. As a result, a single device can turn a home or
office into a hi-tech, wirelessly smart powered building.
This
cutting-edge technology also is transforming how smart devices are designed and
used. “Not having to worry about device battery life or power cables means that
manufacturers can implement unique features and magical experiences,” Yuval
Boger, chief marketing officer of Wi-Charge, said in a press statement.
“Additionally, consumers and businesses alike can take advantage of
next-generation smart devices to achieve convenience and efficiency.”
Why Aircord?
Aircord
technology was born out of the acceleration in the number of smart devices
people are installing in their homes. According to a 2019 report by Deloitte,
households that have smart devices own an average of 11 devices.
The need to
buy, replace, or charge batteries grew accordingly, and longer battery life was
the top characteristic consumers wanted in a home smart device. The alternative
to battery-powered devices is routing power cords to devices. That can be
expensive, time-consuming, and, in some cases, forbidden in rental agreements.
Better
charging technology also is vital for businesses, where it’s estimated that more than 75 billion IoT devices
could be deployed by 2025. Long-range wireless power solutions can
significantly decrease costs, as facilities managers no longer have to spend
time and budget funds replacing batteries. Wireless charging technology also is
good for the environment, as it eliminates toxic batteries ending up in
landfills.
Looking to the Future
The world’s
dependence on connected devices will only grow, as everything from
refrigerators to coffee machines to watches has been connected to the
internet—all needing continuous charge. In a recent article, Wi-Charge
co-founder Ori Mor stated that people also want more mobile lives, which
includes connectivity wherever they live, work, or travel.
That
requires access to power to keep devices charged. However, when people are on-the-go,
they can’t always find a plug socket or keep up with cables and batteries. “Not
having power is a true weakness of IoT,” Mor wrote.
Mor sees
the demand for power inevitably increasing. While solar-powered devices and
power pads have made some headway in innovation, each has limitations. The
vision for a more connected world cannot be fully realized with more
innovative, affordable, and flexible power solutions.
Wi-Charge
is capturing the power of infra-red light to create a completely wireless power
supply that can be delivered at will and eliminates the need for a cable. This
type of freedom, Wi-Charge leaders believe, will open the door for the next
generation of wireless, connected devices.
