Wireless Power Consortium adds leading brands, signals further momentum for Qi standard

SAN FRANCISCO, USA: The Wireless Power Consortium (the Consortium) announced the addition of seven new members, including Research In Motion (RIM), a leader in wireless communications with its award-winning range of BlackBerry smartphones, and Energizer, one of the world's largest manufacturers of primary batteries, battery-powered devices and flashlights.

It also announced the successful completion of the second round of prototype testing at a members' interoperability test held on 27-28 October.

Membership of the Consortium now stands at 21 leading device and electronics manufacturers. In addition to RIM and Energizer, the other new members are: case-mate, a leading digital accessories company; Continental Automotive, a leading global automotive supplier; Hanrim Postech, a leading Korean-based battery manufacturer; Logah Technology, a Taiwan-based professional OEM/ODM manufacturer; and Rohm Semiconductor, a leading manufacturer of semiconductors for the consumer market.

"The successful completion of the second round of interoperability testing and the notification that Qi receivers will be royalty-free for consumer products will make it attractive for device manufacturers to include wireless power capability in a broad range of mass market products. This also provides device manufacturers with predictability and transparency as they plan their product roadmaps," said Camille Tang, President, ConvenientPower Limited and Co-Chair, Wireless Power Consortium, Promotion Work Group.

"The Consortium expects that wireless power receivers will be integrated into a significant percentage of all battery-powered mobile devices and into the batteries themselves. What USB is for wired connectivity, Qi will become for wireless power," said Ms. Tang.

The Consortium's new members welcomed the opportunity to support the Qi universal standard:

case-mate:
"We are proud to be a member of the Consortium, participating in the acceleration of wireless power technology by launching environmentally conscious and lifestyle changing wireless solutions," said Shashi Reddy, Chief Executive Officer, case-mate.

Continental Automotive:
"Continental Automotive is committed to innovation and we are pleased to participate in the universal wireless power standard and prepare the integration of this new technology in cars," said Bruno Albesa, Senior Innovation Project Manager, Continental Automotive.

Energizer:
"Energizer is excited to join the Wireless Power Consortium," commented Jeff Ziminski, Chief Marketing Officer, Energizer. "The development of the Qi standard provides the opportunity to satisfy consumer demand for convenient and wireless power for all of their high-tech portable devices."

Hanrim Postech:
"We are pleased to participate in the universal standardization of wireless power as a new member of the Consortium. Wireless power is a game-changing technology with tremendous potential to change the way people live. Even though it is early days for wireless power, we will soon face a world without wires!" said Dr. Yoon-Sang Kook, Chief Technology Officer, Hanrim Postech.

Logah Technology:
"We are very excited to see the establishment of a universal standard in wireless charging, which will accelerate the adoption of wireless power technology in many electronic devices," said Bob Ho, Director, New Products, Logah Technology Corp.

Research In Motion:
"We're pleased to join the Wireless Power Consortium and work in a concerted effort to bring about open and interoperable wireless charging standards that will benefit consumers," said Mike McAndrews, Vice President, Product Marketing, Research In Motion.

Rohm Semiconductor:
"We are pleased to participate in the Consortium and contribute to the revolution of electronic devices with our advanced power-management technology," said Hiroo Mochida, Director, KTC LSI Development, Rohm Semiconductor.

Consumer research has indicated that a universal standard in wireless power charging ranked within the top 20 percent of consumer lifestyle demands and that more than 80 percent of consumers surveyed saw wireless power as something they would use with virtually all of their electronic devices every time they charge them. The Consortium's Qi universal standard pioneers the interoperability needed for easy, convenient wireless power charging everywhere.

Established 17 December 2008, the Wireless Power Consortium's mission is to create and promote wide market adoption of Qi the international wireless power standard for interoperability across rechargeable electronic devices.

Members include case-mate, Continental Automotive, ConvenientPower, Duracell, Energizer, Fulton Innovation, Hanrim Postech, Hosiden, Leggett & Platt, Logah Technology, National Semiconductor, Nokia, Olympus, Philips, RIM, Rohm Semiconductor, Samsung, Sanyo, Shenzhen Sangfei Consumer Communications, ST-Ericsson, and Texas Instruments.