Toyota and WiTricity Collaborate To Make Wireless Car Charging Possible

When we talk of charging, the first thing which comes to our mind is mobile charging, isn’t it? We simply attach a wire in slot provided on that mobile, insert its plug in a nearby socket and enjoy a charging. Another remotest thing which comes to our mind is about car charging. But have you ever heard of “wireless car charging”? Surprised? Well this is soon to become a reality. Toyota is going to bring in that with the help of WiTricity.

#-Link-Snipped-#WiTricity deals mainly in providing solutions to wireless technology especially for portable electronics. The company has already has a good experience in case of gadgets like cell phones, and other similar electronic goods. The technological concept in this case is simple. It is similar to absorption of energy by a glass when high frequency waves are incident upon it.

The technology is uses something known as Magnetic resonance. It is nothing but inductive charging. Here a highly coupled magnetic resonator connected to an AC supply which then produces a magnetic field. Receiver then couples with this field and produces electricity which then charges the car.

This technology may be said to be similar to ‘wired level 2 chargers’. A power of 3.3kW can be generated due to it. An efficiency of 80% can be achieved. Constant research is done to increase it to make ideal and most efficient device. The car needs to be placed in a specified area inside a garage or a car shed where magnetic field will be effective.

WiTricity said in a statement, “WiTricity power sources and capture devices are specially designed magnetic resonators that efficiently transfer power over large distances via the magnetic near-field. These proprietary source and device designs and the electronic systems that control them support efficient energy transfer over distances that are many times the size of the sources/devices themselves." [As quoted by #-Link-Snipped-#] The resonance wireless charging will be a taste of market in near future.

David Schatz, director of business development and marketing at WiTricity said, “Carmakers are introducing the first generation of vehicles plugged into the grid now. In a couple of years, they will be introducing the second generation of vehicles, and that’s our target.” [As Quoted by #-Link-Snipped-#]

General motors have also tried a similar thing to make its Chevy volt model wireless. However, it would not mean charging a car. It would simply mean charging devices like cell phones inside a car. It had partnered with ‘Powermat’ last year.

Toyota’s collaboration is aimed at accelerating incorporation of wireless technology in automotive field. Toyota motor corporation (TMC) is also aiming to develop many more technologies in automobile sector.

This Magnetic resonance charging is said to be more efficient than electromagnetic induction.  It would be great to see a car charging without a wire. It would then look more sophisticated too!

Check out this video by Eric Giler, WiTricity CEO for TED to know more about wireless electricity.

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