Panasonic debuts wireless phone car charger with a moving coil at CES 2021
Tired of spotty connections? This wireless charge pad's coils actually move to find the strongest juice flow automatically. Wild.
It's CES 2021, and although we're not live from Las Vegas, there's plenty that companies want to share with us in digital form. Take Panasonic's new wireless phone charger for the car, which forgoes in-place charging coils for mobile ones. To make clear what I mean by that -- this is a wireless charger that actually moves to fit your smartphone better.
Panasonic said it devoted resources to this piece of technology after its research showed the average US household includes 10 connected devices. Granted, not all of them will come along for a ride in the car, but a small family could easily pile a handful of smartphones in a vehicle. So, the moving coils are meant to charge devices more quickly so everyone can have a turn at some battery juice.
The technology within the device is supposed to target a phone or device's charging coil more accurately, even if the device isn't sitting perfectly on it (I've experienced my share of picky wireless chargers). Panasonic also promised the tech is much better at coupling with a smartphone than competing systems. When the phone or device sits in the wireless charger, 15 watts of power find their way to the conductor for superquick charging times.
Panasonic clarified this won't be an accessory charger for customers to buy, but a new option for automakers to consider installing in their vehicles. It won't find its way to cars until 2023. In the meantime, you can see how the tech works in the video above.
See also
- Our CES 2021 Day 2 recap: Razer's futuristic N95 mask, smart lipstick and a flying car
- CES 2021 products you can actually buy this year
- GM surprises with Cadillac eVTOL air taxi at CES 2021
- ColdSnap is the Keurig of ice cream, and it's a CES 2021 product we all need right about now
- LG Evo at CES: Brighter OLED TVs are finally coming, but they won't come cheap
- CES 2021's coolest new gadgets: Rollable phones, giant TVs, coronavirus killers