Remember the Powermat? The contraption came out touting induction-based “wireless power” for juicing up your devices and then dropped out of the public eye, resurfacing now as a collaborative effort by Michigan-based HoMedics Powermat North America (HPNA). We finally got a chance to see it work in person and, much to our surprise, it seems to have delivered on its promised… at least in part. We saw three pads that touched base with six different mediators for charging various cell phones, laptops, and handheld games. The devices magnetically “lock on” to the mats and a light comes on to indicate its working. The rep told us devices charge just as fast with the mat as they would via the traditional “plug” method, but it’s not like we waited around long enough to see for ourselves. No price or date, but we’re a lot more excited about it knowing this thing might actually work. We’re hearing some more interesting developments will be shown off later this week, from both Powermat as well as a few of the other companies here showcasing wireless power technology, which we’ll be keeping an eye out for. Hit up the gallery for some sexy recharging imagery.

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Powermat hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Researchers create wirelessly-powered robot swarm

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We’ve seen a number of wireless power systems come and go, but for all the hype-filled bombast and occasional working demo, the tech just hasn’t gone anywhere — but even with that background, Intel’s demo of a wireless power system that can broadcast 60 watts of power up to three feet at IDF with 75 percent efficiency has us giddy with excitement. The system works using essentially the same magnetic induction principle as all the others, but Intel’s seems the furthest along, and the company hopes to one day be able to charge laptops with it. Yeah, we’ll take three.

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We’ve seen quite a few induction-based “wireless power” systems make the scene, and while the idea is interesting both in theory and prototype, actually getting it to market has proven to be quite difficult, with some casualties along the way. That’s why we’re a little wary of new claims by Israel’s Powermat, Ltd. that it’s ready to go with tech that’ll turn “any surface” into a power source. Well, that, and the PR image they sent us has the iPod charging screen Photoshopped onto every device pictured, including a first-gen RAZR and an N95. Oh, and they claim that embedding PowerMat in sheetrock eliminates the need for outlets entirely, but we’re not at all sure how that’s supposed to work — do you have to hold your devices against the wall all night? Add to that the interesting claims that Powermat’s tech delivers energy in “real time,” and that it “completely eliminates the potential for electrical fires,” and we’re in full put-up-or-shut-up mode over here. Think you can top the wireless hamburger, Powermat?

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We’re pretty certain we were supposed to be seeing cellphones, DAPs, and medical devices — you know, gadgets — rock the PowerCast wireless power system by now, but it looks like the first product off the line to include the tech is this chintzy $395 Christmas tree from Frontgate. The fake tree does indeed feature wireless power for its LED lights, but honestly, if you’re moving your tree so much you need it to be wireless, you should really think about getting out of your house more often.

[Thanks, Joe]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

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Not even a week after startup WiPower boasted about its breakthrough in wireless power, Murata and Seiko Epson have announced plans to “jointly development a non-contact quick charging system.” Reportedly, the technology “leverages electromagnetic induction,” and both the charging stand and a given mobile device would be “respectively equipped with coils that generate power.” As for the production, it sounds like Seiko Epson will hone in on the “transmitting side, or primary side,” while Murata “will be involved in the production of the rechargeable Li-ion.” The overriding goal is to recharge a handset “in about 10 to 15 minutes in a non-contact manner,” which would purportedly push power transmission efficiency from current levels of 30- to 50-percent to nearly 70-percent. Oh, and we’ve already been assured that these “will not generate heat.”

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!