With all the consumer electronics we carry around today—laptops, iPods, PDAs, cell phones and the list goes on—wouldn’t it be more convenient if keeping them all charged was easier? What if we didn't have to use a different adapter for each device? Well, get ready to cut the cords!GTEC’s newest tech startup WiPower, Inc. is developing the smallest, most affordable wireless charging system in the world. The technology addresses the widespread dissatisfaction with today’s corded charging systems. With the WiPower technology, you can charge one or more electronic devices just by simply placing them on top of the charging surface. It’s like putting your cell phone down on a pad that is about the size and shape of a magazine, and like magic, your cell phone battery charges. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about handling tiny connectors or untangling the tumbleweed of cords.In 2007, approximately 1.3 billion portable electronic devices were sold. With each one of those gadgets that we love, comes another different power adapter that we hate. Consumers are frustrated by the ever-growing assortment of chargers required to power their electronic devices, and the WiPower system eliminates the problem by enabling electronic devices to truly be wireless.Since 2004, WiPower and University of Florida have been developing wireless power technology, and recently, they successfully demonstrated that their technology exceeds the efficiency of many corded chargers. This is the first system of its kind with the capacity required to charge larger, power hungry devices such as laptop computers as well as smaller devices such as cell phones and iPods. WiPower has been working with top consumer electronics firms to explore options to utilize the technology.
WiPower was founded to enhance and commercialize wireless charging platforms based on technology developed at the University of Florida, and the company filed numerous patents to protect its revolutionary core technology. WiPower’s headquarters is located at the Gainesville Technology Enterprise Center (GTEC) with research also being conducted in Cambridge, MA.The founding team is comprised of students from opposite sides of the globe—from Peking University, China’s top engineering school, Nanyang Technical University, Singapore’s top engineering schools, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition, team members have backgrounds from companies and institutions including: McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Bell Labs, MIT, Harvard, Siemens and EMC.