Near-field wireless charging has been around for several years, but for wireless charging to become really disruptive it needs to work at a distance, and Energous has been working on mid and far-field technology with their WattUp transmissive to charge devices respectively on the desk (mid-field) or in the room (far-field).
You need to have compatible devices to work with the technology, and wearables are a prime target, but I was expecting fitness trackers or smartwatches to embed the technology at first, but instead one of the first WattUp compatible wearables are smart underwears from SKIIN.
The module found in SKIIN underwears and bras have many of the same features as your typical fitness tracker and some extras:
- Sensors
- ECG sensors for Heart Rate Monitoring (HRM)
- Accelerometer and Gyroscope to measure motion & posture
- BIA (Bioelectrical impedance analysis) to monitor water intake levels and how your sweat affects your hydration, as well as your body fat levels
- Knitted Strain Gauge to understand how your breathing patterns fluctuate throughout the day.
- On-board temperature chip that can detect changes in your skin with 0.5-degree accuracy.
- Connectivity – Bluetooth LE with 5 meters range
- Battery – Good for 24 hours after a 5 hours charge
- Dimensions – 45 x 25 mm
The module is said to run Body OS, and can synchronize with Android or iOS smartphone using the upcoming SKIIN mobile app. The module will ship with a WattUp near-field transmitter, but the technology inside can also support future WattUp Mid Field and Far Field transmitters, meaning eventually you’ll be able to throw your underwear on the bed or the laundry bag, and they will charge wirelessly.
Women and men’s smart underwear and smart bra can be pre-ordered on SKIIN website for $279 and up with shipping scheduled for this summer.
Energous technology is also currently being showcased at CES 2018 on hearing aids from Delight and SK Telesys that are planned to launch in H2 2018 in Asia first, and then the US. WattUp relies on Dialog Semiconductor solutions which has announced the DA4100 WattUp wireless power transmitter SoC and DA2200/DA2210 RF-to-DC receiver ICs that will enable mid-field wireless charging.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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– to measure motion & posture
– to monitor water intake levels and how your sweat affects your hydration, as well as you body fat levels
– to understand how your breathing patterns fluctuate throughout the day
This, autonomous cars, smart houses, etc…
just steps into a world where humans will be slaves of the machines.