Wireless mobile chargers a $US4.3b market

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 18 August 2010 18:24

Business IT - Technology

Customer frustration with the plethora and inconvenience of mobile charging devices is so great that they will be prepared to pay $US4.3b by 2014 for wireless charging devices, according to market research firm In-Stat

"The growth of mobile devices combined with the increasing consumer aggravation with different and often proprietary charging solutions for each device, is fuelling an opportunity for wireless charging systems," In-Stat says. (This is despite the ITU and the EU adopting a standard for the charging  socket, to which many vendors have signed up for).

In-Stat says that approximately 44 percent of respondents to a survey said that current mobile charging solutions were an annoyance, and up to 40 percent would pay up to $US50 more for a wireless charging solution, depending on the mobile device.

According to In-Stat: "While several different technologies are vying for market position, they all offer the benefits of charging mobile devices ranging from handsets to PCs simply by touching or being within proximity of a charging station.  Another benefit is that many of these charging solutions can be hidden or seamlessly integrated into furniture or automobiles."

Jim McGregor, In-Stat's chief technology strategist, said: "Despite the long history of the various technologies, we are really just now beginning to see the true market potential for wireless charging solutions. Like many other technology markets, it will start with add-on and third-party solutions. Eventually solutions will be integrated into many mobile electronics as the costs decrease and the demand increases."

In-Stat says that tightly coupled inductive charging systems are expected to be the early market leader, and that of the integrated charging solutions, over two thirds are expected to be in cars.