As the automotive industry turns renewed attention toward scalable autonomous transportation, WiTricity today announced the completion of its new world-class research and development laboratory following the company’s recent relocation to Stuart, Florida. The milestone signals WiTricity’s expanded commitment to medium-power wireless EV charging and increases its ability to support passenger vehicles, autonomous vehicles and robotaxis, last-mile fleets, and OEM and Tier 1 integration programs. WiTricity’s medium-power systems are proven, operational and available today for OEM, Tier 1 and fleet integration programs. The new laboratory grows the company’s capacity to customize, validate and deploy that existing technology across specific vehicle platforms and operating environments.
“Autonomy cannot stop at the charger,” said Joe Benz, CEO of WiTricity. “If a robotaxi, delivery vehicle or self-driving passenger vehicle still needs a person to connect a cable, then one of the most basic parts of its operation remains non-autonomous. Our wireless charging technology is proven, backed by research and field testing, and available today. The new Stuart lab gives us an unmatched environment to assist partners with integrating wireless charging into current and next-generation vehicle platforms and accelerate real-world deployments.”
WiTricity’s medium-power wireless charging systems span 7.2 kW to 50 kW. A vehicle equipped with a receiver on its undercarriage parks over a ground-based charging pad. Power is then transferred through highly resonant magnetic coupling and delivered to the vehicle’s battery without a driver, fleet operator, or passenger handling a plug or cable. The result is a fully automated charging experience at speeds comparable to conventional plug-in systems in the same power class.
That hands-free charging model is especially important for autonomous mobility. Robotaxis and self-driving fleet vehicles can recharge between trips or whenever they align with a designated parking location, helping maximize uptime while preserving the central promise of autonomy: operation without routine human intervention. The same technology can serve passenger battery electric vehicles, automated valet parking, last-mile delivery fleets, and vehicle programs led by OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
Beyond convenience, automatic wireless charging removes exposed cords and connectors that can create trip hazards, suffer handling damage or add maintenance demands. With no moving parts at the charging interface, WiTricity systems are designed for rugged, low-maintenance operation and can support frequent opportunity charging each time a vehicle parks.
Built around technology WiTricity has already developed and demonstrated, the completed Stuart laboratory expands the company’s capacity for design engineering, application-specific prototyping, electromagnetic and system simulation, testing, validation and vehicle-integration support. From the new facility, WiTricity can work with automakers, suppliers, fleet operators, licensees and technology partners to tailor and deploy its existing wireless charging systems across specific vehicle platforms and operating environments.
While the company’s expanded medium-power focus addresses passenger and autonomous applications, WiTricity’s capabilities extend to 75 kW and higher for heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. Those systems are designed for demanding transportation and industrial settings including airports, marine ports, transit operations, drayage and yard operations, forklifts, buses and ground support equipment where automatic charging can improve safety, reduce downtime and keep vehicles in service.
“The future of electric mobility will not be defined by a single vehicle class or power level,” Benz added. “From passenger cars and robotaxis to the heavy-duty fleets that keep commerce moving, charging must become an automatic part of the vehicle’s normal routine. Our Stuart lab is built to help make that future practical.”
To learn more about WiTricity’s medium-power wireless EV charging capabilities, visit www.witricity.com/medium-duty.php. Information about 75 kW-and-higher systems is available at www.witricity.com/heavy-duty.php.