Days after Intel announced plans to develop cable-free PCs, the chipmaker has partnered with wireless power company WiTricity to develop wireless charging solutions.
As part of the licensing agreement, WiTricity will share its patented technology with Intel in an effort to enable more device-charging freedom, without the hassle of plugs and tangled wires.
"At Intel, we have a vision to eliminate all wires from all of our platforms," said Sanjay Vora, Intel vice president and general manager of user experience. "This agreement is a major step in the right direction, enabling our companies to work together to deliver the next generation of devices that eliminate the need for power cords."
Intel's plan to eliminate PC cables is part of its next-gen Skylake platform, the chip giant said at Computex. Ideally, Intel would use the WiGig standard to create docking technology that would connect to devices within range.
"We have overwhelming feedback from end users that they are frustrated with dealing with all the different wires and power adapters for their devices—phones, tablets, and PCs," Vora said today.
At Computex, Intel showed off a Rezence-equipped table that can wirelessly charge several devices at once. Rezence is the official consumer brand name for technology from the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), and can charge multiple devices, each with different power requirements, on the same surface.
Intel's agreement with WiTricity also focuses on Rezence technology. "Mobility has become central to all forms of computing, and wireless charging is becoming a necessity, not a luxury," WiTricity CEO Alex Gruzen said. "WiTricity is excited about the possibilities created through our agreement with Intel, a leader in mobile computing for both consumers and businesses. We look forward to helping Intel enable the industry to create a new generation of wirelessly powered devices."
Learn more about the A4WP and Rezence in the video below.