Powermat Joins Wireless Power Consortium, Will Help Further Rival Qi Wireless Charging Standard

Powermat, the wireless charging company, has become a member of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). Powermat has said the move is to contribute its technology to further advance inductive wireless charging capabilities in WPC's Qi wireless charging standard ecosystem. Qi and Powermat have been competing for wireless charging standards but now there seems to be a unification of sorts. The joining of Powermat could help unify the wireless charging standards resulting in a wider adoption of the technology.

Qi's major rival is the PMA/ AirFuel standard, which was developed by Powermat. However, in 2017, Apple had signed on Qi wireless charging for its iPhone models giving it a massive lead. In a press statement, Powermat CEO Elad Dubzinski said: "Qi has become the dominant wireless charging standard on the market and the recently launched Apple iPhone lineup is evidence of this success. Powermat will share technology innovation to further unlock wireless charging potential, and will expedite the growth of the wireless charging infrastructure."

With this joining, Powermat has become one of the over 360 companies which support the Qi standard including technology giants like Apple, Samsung, LG Electronics, Delphi among others.

Meanwhile, Menno Treffers, Chairman, WPC said, "By joining WPC, it [Powermat] further unifies the wireless charging ecosystem behind the Qi global standard, which will accelerate wireless charging adoption and make it more convenient for consumers to use wireless charging wherever they go."

Catering to the emerging demand for wireless charging accessories, several companies had been fighting a standards war. The major battle was between AirFuel Alliance, of which Powermat was a part, and Wireless Power Consortium, developers of the Qi wireless charging standard. While computer manufacturers favoured AirFuel, WPC and the Qi standard was supported by mobile makers. Apple meanwhile stayed at the fence for a long time and did not introduce the technology. But, Apple's announcement of adopting the Qi standard for iPhone models in September last year was a big blog to AirFuel and Powermat.