Wireless chargers in the classical sense have not become a hit so much because they are useful, but most people will not buy a wireless charger just to avoid plugging in the cable, it's really just a gesture. OK, I know, that's a bit demagogic, because a wireless charger in a fixed place on a desk can be really handy and even look good, but let's face it, when someone says wireless, you think wireless, touchless, like Wi-Fi or TWS headsets.
That's pretty cool:
No, but, Xiaomi thought they were serious about the meaning of the word and developed a truly wireless charger, this Mi Air Charge.
We're excited to bring you the remote charging technology - Mi Air Charge Technology! Charge multiple devices simultaneously while you're gaming, walking around or even when something's in the way, no strings attached. Another giant leap forward in wireless charging technology! pic.twitter.com/wEoB10wOQ2
- Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) January 29, 2021
The Mi Air Charge can charge devices while in use or in your pocket, even more than one at a time.The charging "device", which is more like a piece of furniture, can charge up to 5W, which is still low, but the technology is still in its infancy.
Xiaomi's proprietary isolated charging case has five phased interference antennas that accurately detect the location of the smartphone. The phase-control array of 144 antennas transmits millimetre-wide waves directly to the phone via radiation. So this technology has nothing to do with the Qi standard, it works in a completely different way. The receiving phone must be equipped with a miniaturised antenna system with a built-in transmitting antenna and receiving antenna array. It must have a total of 14 antennas to convert the millimetre wave signal emitted by the charging box. The signal is converted into electrical energy by the device via a rectifier circuit and the phone charges wirelessly.
The range of "several metres" has not been precisely defined. Xiaomi claims that physical objects do not reduce the charging efficiency, so it is not a problem if, say, a cupboard gets in the way of charging.
Xiaomi plans to make the Mi Air Charge compatible not only with phones, but also with smartwatches and smart bracelets, but it has come up with an even better idea. It wants to build it into various home devices, lamps, speakers, which would be really really impersive.
This really is the future. It would virtually do away with chargers in the classical sense, because they would not be needed. You come home and while you're at home, your phone, watch, earphones charge. So there you go, that's innovation. It's certainly not going to come out anytime soon and, well, it's new technology and it's going to cost money to develop, so if it does debut, it's certainly going to do it at a high price.
This technology should be seen as existing, it is possible that in 10-20 years the charging socket will be a thing of the past.
