Qualcomm Wants Wireless Charging For Your Electric Car Too

Just yesterday, we reported on the new Qualcomm WiPower technology that would allow for wireless charging even on smartphones with metal bodies. And it could send that power over to your mobile device over a short distance without having to make physical contact with the charging pad. As it turns out, Qualcomm isn’t just interested in charging your phone; it wants to charge your electric car too.

With Qualcomm’s WiPower, you can install the charging pad on the underside of your desk, completely hidden from view. You can then charge multiple smartphones (and tablets) by simply placing the devices above the charging pad. That’s cool. But what if you could send even more power over a slightly longer distance? That’s effectively what Qualcomm’s Halo technology will do for electric cars. The charging plate would be installed into the ground, you’d drive your electric car into the designated parking spot, and the battery would proceed to get charged. Wirelessly. All without having to plug in your electric car at all.

The idea of using wireless charging for electric cars isn’t new and it’s still going to be some time before this gets anywhere near mainstream, especially since electric cars haven’t even hit critical mass themselves. Even so, Qualcomm has already signed a deal with Brusa, a Swiss electric car parts company, and they’re going to develop this Halo charging plates for “several leading automakers.” This builds on the progress that Qualcomm has already made with its Halo technology, having signed a deal with Daimler AG (makers of Mercedes-Benz) in May for a “strategic collaboration.”

Imagine the day where you can not only skip the visit to the pump, but you don’t even need to plug your car in at night. Imagine the day when your electric car can even get its wireless charging fix along highway charging lanes too. That’s something to look forward to.

Via The Verge