No wires: The power is in the mat

Millions already use Israeli startup Powermat's wireless charging system. Soon it will be embedded in airport and office furniture, the Chevy Volt and kitchen appliances.

Just five years after going into business, the small Israeli company Powermat (www.powermat.com) is revolutionizing the way people charge their cell phones and other handheld devices.

The user simply places the device on a small charge pad -- no cord, no plug ---- and after the required charge is achieved, Powermat shuts down.

Shoppers have already snatched up more than five million Powermats after Homedics distributed the units to more than 30,000 US retailers. Now, to make wireless charging as widely available as wi-fi, the company is working with major makers of airport seating and office furniture to embed Powermats in their products.

General Motors has invested $5 million to build in Powermat chargers between the seats of its hybrid electric Chevy Volt. The device may also one day wirelessly power the vehicle itself.

Look for Powermat receivers in home appliances as well, as tangle-free charging becomes the watchword of the future.

DOWNLOADS:

Please credit the Israel MFA for any use of these videos.

VIDEO:

- Powermat HiRes: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0EHHGG7U

- Powermat HiRes No Voice: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GFRVBEE1

- Powermat Streaming: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GQEHN606

- Powermat Streaming No Voice: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ACCXF7FJ

DOCUMENTS:

- Powermat SCRIPT: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=G93W18QB

- Powermat INTRO: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0EB9AQPF

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Powermat
• charger
• wireless
• charging system
• cell phone
• handheld
• Israel
• startup
• Chevy Volt
• Homedics
• General Motors
• home appliances
• charge pad
• airport seating

[antiterror9]

As always - ISRAEL ROCKS!

[luv5e1]

Keep amazing us Israel! - We love your products - thank you!

[PapaDrosKolDos]

@Yavor54 Correct. Much of Israel's high tech explosion is really yesterday's news. Someone usually beats it within a split-second by coming out with a better invention.

[WomenEntrepreneursHQ]

I just rewatched the video and I will contact Powermat's Maya Cohen for an interview! This is revolution in action and I love it! Thanks for sharing!

[maximroth]

@Yavor54

So what? sometimes even low technology does good things.

[Yavor54]

Come On! Two flat coils..AC in the charger side and a SMD diode on the device side coil... same way a RFID card works. It's simply a transformer with one coil in the charger and one in the device.. it's LOW tech.

[MrStuart21]

efficiency?

[2522Bomar]

The only drawback that I see is choosing the Chevy Volt for entry into the auto industry because The Chevy Volt is marketing failure. If it weren't for huge government subsidies very few would be sold. Better to go with a German automaker or Ford.

[joetheIII]

How would EMF effect people around the charging devise? EMF is known to cause cancer in people. Being surrounded by wires is not healthy as it is, being surrounded by air filled with electro magnetic field would raise practicality of the devise. Theoretically it is very convenient, but we pay for convenience with out health. But I am very proud of the fact that Israeli inventors come up with most innovative devises such as this. Keep it up !!!

[savti613]

I certainly hope the Arab countries and foolish minions who encourage divestment continue their boycott so they will never benefit from the fantastic inventions developed in Israel by Israelis. Way to go Israel!

[gracystar2006]

very cool