Ask HN: Is Energous' Wireless Charging Legitimate?

#1

Post by brandoncarl » Tue, Feb 23, 2016, 8:22 PM UTC

There's obviously been a lot of buzz around wireless charging (see uBeam and Witricity). These guys have been addressed in years past on HN, but given rumors swirling around potential Apple integration would like an intelligent discussion around Energous' technology/patents. It appears to me that they are utilizing the RF portion of the spectrum (as opposed to the sound waves that uBeam appears to be using). Witricity appears to be focused on charging pads/coils.

Finally, let's consider applications outside of cell phones: a 3mm square chip could create a lot of new Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Site: http://www.energous.com

Re: Ask HN: Is Energous' Wireless Charging Legitimate?

#2

Post by gus_massa » Tue, Feb 23, 2016, 11:04 PM UTC

I'm very skeptical bout this whole area. I'm looked at the site. They have "conceptual videos". Do they have a working prototype???

They say that they can focus the energy in the devices... What happens if you are holding the devices in your hand or it is in your pocket?

Re: Ask HN: Is Energous' Wireless Charging Legitimate?

#3

Post by brandoncarl » Wed, Feb 24, 2016, 12:47 AM UTC

gus_massa wrote: post #2

I'm very skeptical bout this whole area. I'm looked at the site. They have "conceptual videos". Do they have a working prototype??? They say that they can focus the energy in the devices... What happens if you are holding the devices in your hand or it is in your pocket?

As I understand they do have a working prototype. I believe their chip is 3mm and works in pockets, etc. There's been so much hype, so little delivered in this area that I'm finding it hard to sift the wheat from the chaff.

Re: Ask HN: Is Energous' Wireless Charging Legitimate?

#4

Post by gus_massa » Wed, Feb 24, 2016, 3:33 AM UTC

brandoncarl wrote: post #3

gus_massa wrote: post #2

I'm very skeptical bout this whole area. I'm looked at the site. They have "conceptual videos". Do they have a working prototype??? They say that they can focus the energy in the devices... What happens if you are holding the devices in your hand or it is in your pocket?

As I understand they do have a working prototype. I believe their chip is 3mm and works in pockets, etc. There's been so much hype, so little delivered in this area that I'm finding it hard to sift the wheat from the chaff.

I couldn't find the information about the working prototype in their page. Do you have a link?

Re: Ask HN: Is Energous' Wireless Charging Legitimate?

#5

Post by 27182818284 » Wed, Feb 24, 2016, 6:54 PM UTC

Wireless charging, like nuclear fusion for power generation, has been just a few years away for decades. So that makes me skeptical. It isn't that I don't think some charging is possible, but I do think the devil is in the details of making it for the population at large.