WhatUpp Wireless Charger, With Range Of Three Feet, Gets FCC Approval

The United States Federal Communications Commission gave its first stamp of approval to a wireless charging system that can charge devices over-the-air and from at-a-distance, marking another step forward in wireless charging technology.

The certification from the FCC was provided to Energous Corporation for it WattUp mid field transmitter. The technology will allow devices to be charged without requiring physical contact with a charging pad like most current wireless charging options require.

The WattUp mid field transmitter uses focused radio frequency to transmit power to devices. It can provide a charge to WattUp-enabled electronic devices at a distance of up to three feet.

Energous described the system as being similar to Wi-Fi in that it can interact with multiple devices at once and interact with receivers and transmitters regardless of the manufacturer in the same way a wireless router can provide internet access to a laptop made by Apple and a smartphone made by Samsung.

According to the San Jose-based startup behind the WattUp technology, the transmitter is compatible with smartphones, tablets, fitness trackers, smartwatches, wireless headphones, keyboards, mice, smart speakers and other devices.

When devices are within range of the transmitter, they will receive a battery charge—same as if the device was plugged into a charger. That charge will continue until the device is out of range of the transmitter or the better has been filled.

Martin Cooper, the man credited with inventing the first ever handheld cellular mobile phone in 1973, sits on the Energous Board of Directors. In a statement, the man known as the “Father of the Cell Phone” said, “This ground-breaking technology allows users to automatically charge their WattUp-enabled devices without having to remove them from their wrist or pocket, plug them in or place them on a mat to charge, freeing them from ever having to think about charging their devices again."

Energous President and CEO Stephen R. Rizzone said the FCC certification of his company’s transmitter “is a major market milestone” and an advancement over current wireless charging technologies that have “received limited adoption” over the past 15 years.

“[FCC certification] opens up options, outside of just contact-based charging, to Wireless Charging 2.0: an ecosystem where devices can be charged both, via pad and at a distance," Rizzone said. "Untethered, wire-free charging—such as charging a fitness band even while wearing it—is exactly what consumers have been waiting for. We are now in a position to move our consumer electronics, IoT and smart home customers forward at an accelerated pace."

While Energous’ WattUp transmitter has FCC approval, it isn’t ready for retail yet. The company has provided no details as to when to expect the wireless charging technology to be commercially available. WattUp will be on display at CES 2018 in Las Vegas in January.