Propelled by the arrival of the Apple Watch, the global market for wireless power and charging in wearable applications is set to attain a very big expansion this year compared to 2014, according to a research by IHS Technology. Global revenue this year from shipments of wireless power receivers and transmitters in wearable applications will surge to more than $480 million, up from just $15 million last year. By 2019, wireless charging in wearables will generate revenue exceeding $1 billion. “Growth this year will be remarkable for wireless charging in wearable electronic devices, even if in reality the overall penetration of wireless charging into wearables is relatively low given the billions of wearables that are shipped into the consumer market every year”, said Vicky Yussuff, analyst for wireless charging at IHS Technology. “Still, interest in the use of wireless charging remains high on the part of wearable technology providers and device original equipment manufacturers. As a result, penetration is expected to escalate rapidly over the next five years”.
Besides, 2015 is anticipated to be an important year for wearable electronics with many of the leading consumer electronics suppliers introducing wireless charging in their products (including smartwatches). The highest-profile example is the Apple Watch. The smartwatch – the research by IHS Technology explains – will ship with Apple’s proprietary MagSafe inductive charging solution, and is expected for release by the end of the second quarter this year. At present, wireless charging solutions typically consist of a pad or mat on which consumers can place an enabled device for charging, without having to connect the device and the pad or mat physically. The enabled device, such as a smartwatch, can be picked up for use and replaced for charging, often termed drop and charge. However, advancements are also taking place in wireless charging technology, and even more versatile solutions are emerging offering greater spatial freedom, including wireless charging through surfaces like a desk, support for wireless charging of multiple devices from the same wireless charger and even wireless charging over distances. “Apple’s solution for the Apple Watch – the research explains – which uses inductive charging, is not a drop and charge mechanism, nor does it offer any range of freedom of movement to the user. In essence, the smartwatch is physically tethered to the charger at all times while charging and being held in place by a magnet. But IHS projects that by the end of 2017, shipments of wearable-technology wireless charging receivers that allow charging over distances will overtake inductive or tightly coupled solutions”.
