FCC gives first approval for wireless charging at-a-distance; WattUp works up to 3 feet away

The FCC has approved a new type of wireless charging system for the first time. Unlike other wireless charging systems, this will power up batteries as far as 3-feet away. A company named Energous, developer of the WattUp wireless charging at-a-distance technology, has received FCC approval for its transmitter. The latter is used to send focused RF-based power to devices as far as 3-feet away. This ushers in a new era of wireless charging for devices like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, fitness trackers, earbuds, smart speakers and more.

Energous says that its product is the only one that can deliver both contact and non contact wireless charging. It can also charge multiple devices, and will keep on working on each device within range until the battery powering a particular unit is topped off. The WattUp ecosystem allows receivers and transmitters made by different manufacturers to work together.

Eventually, device users will be able to walk into a room with the WattUp technology setup, and have their devices charged automatically without having to remove a phone from their pocket, or a smartphone from their wrist. All that is required is for the device to be within 3-feet of the transmitter.

Energous will be displaying WattUP next month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which runs from January 9th through the 12th.

source: Energous via Engadget