As a manufacturer, you not only need to sort out which features to look for while you’re analyzing your wireless power options, but also how the technology company is prepared to deliver the whole wireless power system to you.
Currently, you have two options: 1) licensing the technology and 2) purchasing ready-made transmitters and receivers. Let’s look at the pros and cons of both, starting with ready-made wireless power.
Off-the-shelf or ready-made wireless power technology refers to transmitters and receivers that have been developed, shaped, and manufactured by the technology company and are ready to “plug and play.”
For example, a company might offer a receiver in the shape of bracelet-sized ring or the shape of half of a candy bar that must be plugged into a device’s power port to receive power. Or the receiver might be built into a smartphone case.
The transmitter might be the size of a dinner plate or hefty dictionary, and need to be plugged into an outlet.
The obvious benefits of buying wireless power that is already built into a product is that it’s ready to go, no manufacturing required. You simply need to find a wireless power provider that fits with the devices you need to deliver power to and has all the features you need, including distance, non-line-of-sight, the ability to charge multiple devices simultaneously and while in motion, and of course, safety.
If you are not a manufacturer or don’t have manufacturing partners, and your charging needs are fairly narrow, this might be a good short-term wireless power solution.
Unfortunately, the limitations of ready-made wireless power products outweigh the benefits in most cases. The cons include:
A handful of wireless power companies, like Ossia, offer their wireless power solution through a technology license. A license grants you access to the information and standards that you and your manufacturing partners need to integrate the technology seamlessly right into your products.
A good licensing partner will also connect you with other organizations that are using the same high-quality wireless power standards, to expand on your ecosystem (ask Ossia about that!).
Licensing also enables service providers to deliver the wireless power to customers and employees throughout their buildings, whether they are hospitals, airports, factories, or coffee shops.
The biggest benefit of licensing wireless power technology like CotaⓇ Real Wireless Power, from Ossia, is control. You have control of the size, color, shape, and placement of your end product, and the end user is often unaware that the wireless power receiver is even there or where the transmitters are located; it’s all built right in, just as you specified. Additional wireless power licensing benefits of Cota are:
If your organization is not set up to manufacture or partner with manufacturers to optimize your products, licensing wireless power may seem like a risky move -- but it may be simpler than you think with the right partners -- and set you up for success in the long run.
Contact Ossia to talk about your business capabilities and wireless power needs to explore your options. We are firm believers in connecting smart businesses and growing the overall wireless power ecosystem. Together, we can accelerate the wireless power movement.