Wireless Power Consortium Adds Leading Technology Brands, Signals Further Momentum for Global Adoption of Qi Standard
The Wireless Power Consortium (the Consortium) announced the addition of seven new members, including Research In Motion (RIM), a leader in wireless communications with its range of BlackBerry® smartphones, and Energizer, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of primary batteries, battery-powered devices and flashlights. The Consortium also announced the successful completion of the second round of prototype testing at a members’ interoperability test held on 27-28 October.
Membership of the Consortium now stands at 21 leading device and electronics manufacturers. In addition to RIM and Energizer, the other new members are: case-mate, a leading digital accessories company; Continental Automotive, a leading global automotive supplier; Hanrim Postech, a leading Korean-based battery manufacturer; Logah Technology, a Taiwan-based professional OEM/ODM manufacturer; and Rohm Semiconductor, a leading manufacturer of semiconductors for the consumer market.
"The successful completion of the second round of interoperability testing and the notification that Qi receivers will be royalty-free for consumer products will make it attractive for device manufacturers to include wireless power capability in a broad range of mass market products. This also provides device manufacturers with predictability and transparency as they plan their product roadmaps," said Camille Tang, President, ConvenientPower Limited and Co-Chair, Wireless Power Consortium, Promotion Work Group. "The Consortium expects that wireless power receivers will be integrated into a significant percentage of all battery-powered mobile devices and into the batteries themselves. What USB is for wired connectivity, Qi will become for wireless power."