Englewood Cliffs, N.J. – LG Electronics has joined the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), an industry consortium focusing on magnetic resonance wireless power transfer founded by Samsung Electronics and Qualcomm.
LG becomes the 38th member company and by doing so, strengthens a bridge between two major competing wireless technology standards organizations. LG was a founding member company of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), which was formed in 2008 and developed and licenses the Qi standard for inductive charging. Samsung is also a member of the WPC.
The A4WP focuses on magnetic resonance wireless power transfer technology can transfer power from a distance of up to 30mm through materials such as tabletops or car consoles. The spec allows charging of multiple devices simultaneously without physical contact to the charging surface.
The WPC focuses on both magnetic resonance and inductive magnetic wireless charging technologies. The latter technology requires devices to be placed directly on a charging pad for the charging to start.
According to an LG spokesman, the company “had initially planned to focus on developing and commercializing both magnetic induction and magnetic resonance wireless charging technology.” He added, “We joined A4WP as a means to check the market.”
Last May, LG introduced its Revolution smartphone, the company’s first to support magnetic inductive charging.
Another spatial wireless charging technology, from WiTricity and Alps Electric, was demonstrated at International CES in January.
