WiBotic Provides 300W Of Wireless Charging Power For Drones And Marine Robotics
WiBotic has designed a wireless charging solution that when integrated allows for autonomous landing control until a drone's battery is charged.
Anyone who has ever flown a drone may be aware of the difficulty of landing with precision on a launchpad or docking station. Well, WiBotic has designed wireless charging solutions that when integrated allow for autonomous landing control until the battery is charged.
With WiBotic technology, multiple robots can charge from the same Transmitter (at different times) or an entire fleet of robots can move between a network of Transmitters in different locations. Image used courtesy of WiBotic.
Based on research completed in 2012 at the University of Washington, WiBotic CEO and co-founder, Ben Waters and his team developed an adaptive matching system that constantly monitors relative antenna position that could be integrated with any drone device. The goal was to deliver contactless charging, at high power levels autonomously. WiBotic technology aims to go beyond current inductive and resonant charging methods by having a motion-adjective power charging system.
In 2015 WiBotic created multiple power optimization solutions for an ecosystem of aerial, mobile, and marine robots. Having wireless power technology that includes patented software for detailed battery monitoring and reporting, and configurable charging parameters.
This technology ensures that drone users no need to dock with precision to recharge the drone’s battery. Instead, you can maneuver your drone and be few centimeters away from the WiBotic transmitter to receive charging.
WiBotic offers integrated, onboard charging kits along with antennas and transmitters for wireless charging. Image used courtesy of WiBotic.
WiBotic wireless charging systems are made of four components: the transmitter unit, transmitter antenna coil, receiver antenna coil, and the onboard charger unit. First, the transmitter unit utilizes any available power source to generate a high-frequency wireless power signal through the transmitting coil. Next, the receiver antenna coil will detect the output frequency and begin sending a signal through the onboard charger. Finally, the charger converts the signal back into a DC voltage and delivers the correct amount of energy for the drone battery regardless of the chemistry of the battery.
The difference in charging efficiency as the drone moves further from the coils. Image used courtesy of WiBotic.
WiBotic’s Ubiquity Magni is an autonomous charge docking station that is equipped with a transmitter and transmitter coil antenna, onboard charger, and receiver coil antenna. This model can provide 300W of charging power without needing human control, the onboard charger detects when battery levels are low and will direct the robot to move towards the docking station until the battery is recharged.
Complete WiBotic systems include everything you need to autonomously charge a single robot, drone, or another battery-powered device. WiBotic’s standard system is lightweight and can easily be integrated with most drones or robots.
A 300W Power System Receives FCC Approval
Early this month, WiBotic received equipment authorization from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its high power transmitters and receivers. Which made their patented power system, the first of its kind, to receive FCC approval for use in mobile robots, drones, and other devices with larger batteries. The FCC is a part of the United States government which regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
Ben Waters discussed WiBotic’s recent milestone, “FCC approval is not only an accomplishment for our team but also for our customers and the industry.”
The FCC had not approved many drone-related power solutions in the past.
“Previously only low power cell phone and small electronics chargers or very high power electric vehicle chargers were approved for widespread use,” Waters said.
WiBotic’s power optimizing software allows for high-power adaptive charging has presented a new method for a fleet of drones or robots to recharge simultaneously. Now with industry-first approval, It will be exciting to see WiBotic’s next development in power charging solutions.
