Wireless Charging

Untangling Cords in the Age of Connected People

By Omri Lachman

Co-founder & CEO, HUMAVOX

I keep running into this notification

My life is stacked with these…

Most portable electronic devices are power cord dependent

Some still depend on primary cells which means replacing batteries

With #IoT vision becoming a reality, users top existing electronics with wearable tech

Each device has different power requirement and operating time

Most devices feature unique USB based power interface ports

Resulting in more cables in our life

#IoT is facing a usability challenge

Frustrated User is a Red Flag

From Annoying to Show Stopper

Too many different USB interfaces

Too many cords per user in all life environments

Insufficient power ports in our

environment

User ‘enslaved’ and discouraged by bad

&inconsistent functionality

Devices are becoming too small

for USB port

Inability to track power between devices

• How will we treat our devices when not in use (Bed time, traveling, bathing, Etc.)

• How will you charge them? Can you keep track of battery life with multiple devices?

• Where and how will you store your, sensors?

• Existing charging methods can’t fit in this space

• How can we change that?

In the Age of #IoT, Power is Not Just for Charging. Power Interfacing Dictates New Usability Patterns

Retire the Wire

Wireless Charging

Definition (Wiki):

“Inductive charging (also known as "wireless charging") uses an electromagnetic field to

transfer energy between two objects. This is usually done with a charging station. Energy is sent

through an inductive coupling to an electrical device, which can then use that energy to charge

batteries or run the device”

Nikola Tesla first demonstrated wireless electricity transfer

in 1891 (Tesla Effect)

Development efforts gained speed around 2007 by a variety of entities that formed standards based on the above

Requires coupling conditions by device placement i.e dependency on user

Optimum conditions are almost never archived

Lower efficiency, waste heat - The main disadvantages of inductive charging are its lower efficiency and increased resistive heating in comparison to direct contact

Slower charging due to the lower efficiency

Inconvenience – with the device placed on a charging surface, the user can’t interact with it

Main Disadvantage: Usability that Leads to a Chain of flaws

Usability limits adoption adaptation

because the world isn't flat!

It should be for everyone

Size limitation disables global standardization

The Execution affected by Major Hiccups

Design charging experience to fit into our life

Enable all devices

Not all is lost…

Wireless Charging impact on #IoT

The gatekeeper for fluent IoT

experience

Remaining battery is no longer a

concern

Mobility without cords

HW Developers access to a world of thinner, more flexible design (No USB)

Learning and improving HW & SW by analyzing usability

Devices always charged

Case Study: Hearing InstrumentsWhere IoT meets Healthcare

10M New Devices Annually

Replace battery once every 3-6

days

No rechargeable solution

Smart Energy O/S communicate with devices under charge

Where does it all come together to IOT

What do we do with it?

Charging data is logged

Extracting PI (Power Intelligence) analytics & uploading to PowerDB cloud

Analytics made accessible

The First Cloud Based Power Database is Available

Brandssee how frequently device is charged,

power level intervals (how many hours of operations) at what power

consumption, compliance with battery spec, Etc.

Semiconductormeasure functionality and

efficiency of IC and components i.e. PMU

UserGet real life statistics

& notifications

Battery OEM see battery charge

profile compliance, duration, Etc.

Wireless Charging is the “gatekeeper” of #IoT devices functionality

It unifies charging for multiple devices

It reduces the number of cords in our life substantially

It unleashes HW design existing constrains (USB Port)

It serves as a guiding cloud layer that helps the industry & users to improve usability

Improve power consumption and supply efficiency which prevents waste of energy

Summary

Finally, it also sustains the true vision of #IoT…..

Thank you!

It Allows Us to Optimize Life!