Xiaomi, the Chinese electronics manufacturer known for its smartphones, has unveiled a new wireless charging technology that can power up a phone’s battery from several meters away. Unlike current wireless charging methods, which require the device to be placed on a charging pad, Xiaomi’s technology allows for charging from a central base station via radio waves. The company hopes to eventually create a completely wireless living room, where all devices can be powered without cords.
The new charging technology from Xiaomi uses an array of antennas to send millimeter waves to a smartphone’s integrated transmitter, which then sends the signal back to the base station. The base station uses beamforming to determine the direction of the signal and sends it back to the phone via an array of 14 receiving antennas. The charging process is not interrupted by physical barriers, making it superior to similar technologies from other companies.
While the charging speed is limited to 5 watts, which is lower than wired and fast wireless charging solutions, the constant charging process when near the base station makes up for the lower power output. Xiaomi plans to integrate the technology into laptops, smartwatches, and other mobile devices, and envisions a completely wireless living room where lamps, speakers, and other devices can be powered wirelessly from a central base station.
Experts believe that Xiaomi’s new technology could revolutionize the way we charge our devices, making cords and charging pads a thing of the past. However, concerns about the safety of radio waves and the potential for interference with other electronic devices will need to be addressed before the technology can become widely adopted.
