The Rise of Wireless Charging Technology
What is Wireless Charging?
Wireless charging or cordless charging is a charging method in which electronic devices are charged without using cables or wires. With wireless charging technology, an electromagnetic field is created between two objects close to each other. This field transfers power through inductive charging and powers up the receiving device.
Early Development
The concept of Wireless Charging dates back to the late 19th century when scientists Nikola Tesla and others conducted pioneering experiments in wireless electricity. However, it wasn't until the late 1990s and early 2000s when advancement in inductive coupling technology made wireless charging a practical solution. In 2006, a wireless power consortium was formed by major electronics companies like Samsung, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments to develop interoperability standards for wireless charging devices. This led to the near-field communication (NFC) and Qi inductive charging standards that are widely used today.
Adoption in Consumer Electronics
The first major consumer devices to support wireless charging were smartphones. In 2007, HTC released the TouchFLO 3D smartphone with an add-on charging cradle that charged via induction. In 2008, Nokia introduced the Comes With Music edition of the Nokia 5700 XpressMusic which charged on specially-designed charging mats. However, it was Apple's inclusion of wireless charging in the Apple Watch in 2015 that brought the technology into the mainstream. Today, almost all flagship Android phones support the Qi standard for wireless charging pads and chargers. Wireless charging is also available on newer iPhones and accessories like AirPods. Car companies have integrated wireless charging receivers into car interiors for in-vehicle charging as well.
Advantages of Wireless Charging
Convenience - Wireless charging eliminates the hassle of cables and connectors. Devices can simply be placed on a charging pad or surface to charge, removing cable plugging/unplugging. This makes charging faster and easier.
Safety - Wireless charging pads and surfaces eliminate hazardous exposed connectors and ports that could collect dirt or moisture. This reduces risks of electric shocks or device damage over time. Cables are a major cause of trip and fall accidents as well.
Eco-friendly - Without constant cable production, packaging and disposal, wireless charging has a lower environmental impact over the device lifetime. Shared charging pads also mean fewer charger units to manufacture.
Integration - As wireless charging receivers get smaller, the technology can be seamlessly built into more products and surfaces around homes and offices for ubiquitous power. Furniture, tables, appliances are being integrated with charging.
Challenges and Future Potential
Despite progress, wireless charging still has efficiency issues compared to wired connections. Significant heat is generated during induction and energy is lost during power transfer. Charging speeds are also slower than cables currently. Standards fragmentation is another problem as different technologies employ proprietary protocols instead of fully open and interoperable ones. High setup and component costs have also slowed mass adoption.
Looking ahead, newer resonant magnetic induction and laser/magnetic resonance technologies promise higher efficiencies close to 100% someday. Auto-alignment of devices and power scaling based on battery levels will enhance usability. Embedding receivers under phone displays or into thin client devices opens new integration possibilities. Widely available built-environment wireless power could revolutionize how we use and charge electronics seamlessly everywhere. With further innovation and economies of scale, wireless charging has potential to largely replace wired charging in the future.
Cost Factors and Revenue Potential
The average bill of materials for a wireless charging chipset currently ranges between $5-$10 depending on offered features and manufacturing volumes. At scale production of over 100 million units annually, this can reduce to $3-$5 per unit. For wireless charging solutions targeting consumer and mass markets, the total product costs need to be comparable to wired chargers which are often priced ~$10-20.
With widespread deployment, wireless charging presents a significant recurring long-term revenue stream potential for chipmakers, infrastructure providers as well as shared charging service operators. Conservative estimates see the wireless charging market growing from $4.7 billion in 2021 to over $27 billion by 2028. Integration into IoT, robotics, industrial and medical sectors will further expand future opportunities. Countries developing charging standards and networks have a first-mover advantage to establish their local industries as well.
wireless charging technology has seen huge advances in interoperability, speeds and integration in recent years. As remaining issues around costs, efficiency and fragmentation get addressed, it is poised to make wired charging predominantly obsolete within the next 5-10 years. The development of ubiquitous wireless power infrastructure will truly revolutionize how we power the electronics around us seamlessly everywhere.
Get More Insights On- Wireless Charging
Get this Report in Japanese Language:
ワイヤレス充電
Get this Report in Korean Language:
무선 충전
Resource –
Recent Developments in Wireless Charging Market
Wireless Charging in Electric Vehicles: A Game-Changer for the Auto Industry
How Wireless Charging is Revolutionizing Consumer Electronics
The Evolution of Wireless Charging Technology
About Author:
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)