Wireless charging start-up Splashpower has finally launched its technology for mobile phones and MP3 players. Since 2001 the company has been working on providing a way to charge equipment without having to plug it in but this is the first commercial deal.
The company has signed a deal for consumer equipment maker Alba to make Splashpower’s inductive chargers that support several units at the same time.
Early user trials showed that users wanted to use 3G phones for video calls while they were charging, said Bill Campbell, Splashpower’s chief executive officer. This is very different from the original plan of a flat pad for charging equipment.
He also points to the heating of metal in the equipment while being charged as a problem, and believes it has overcome this while other companies doing the same thing will struggle.
“The combination of Splashpower’s technology and intellectual property with Alba’s proven manufacturing and distribution experience is a unique combination that will deliver wireless products in volume to consumers for the first time,” said Campbell. The company has some fundamental patents on the technology.
The charger and add-on charging modules for phones and MP3 players will be launched in the third quarter and Alba plans to integrate the charging module into equipment by the end of the year. Phone and equipment makers could also benefit by removing the need to ship different chargers.
“We believe the wireless power market has exceptional growth potential and Splashpower leads this area with its unique technology,” said Daniel Harris, CEO of Alba.
Last week the company signed a deal with a Singapore phone and personal organiser designer, MWd, to add the charging module into their personal digital assistants later this year, but these still need the chargers to be available.