Qi standard launched for wireless charging

The Wireless Power Consortium has made official a new standard for wireless chargers.

The Qi 1.0 standard allows companies to bring out wireless chargers that work with a range of manufacturer's devices, rather than just charging a single company's line of products.

As a result, there will be a surge in this market, with shipments of wireless chargers increasing 70 times over by 2014, according to the consortium.

"All ingredients for growing the market are now on the table," said Menno Treffers, chairman of the Wireless Power Consortium. "It took us only 18 months to develop the Qi standard, and less than one month to see the first products certified. Qi is now the industry's choice for wireless power."

So far, the Consortium has worked with what it deemed to be "industry leaders" in the areas of mobile phones, consumer electronics, batteries, semiconductors, components and wireless power technology.

Big names on board include Nokia, Sanyo, Duracell and Energizer.

"Wireless charging has great potential to make charging easier for consumers," said Petri Vuori, director of mobile solutions R&D at Nokia. "For full user benefit, a standard ensuring cross-compatibility between different manufacturer's products is required. Qi low power standard specification release 1.0 is a significant milestone into this direction."

Now Qi 1.0 has been signed off, the Consortium is looking to work with netbook, laptop, tablet computer and power tool manufacturers to achieve a similar standard for more powerful devices.