WiTricity has received the Autonomous Vehicle Innovation of the Year award in the 7th annual AutoTech Breakthrough Awards for its wireless electric-vehicle charging technology. The company says the system is designed to allow autonomous vehicles to charge without human involvement.
The award recognizes WiTricity AI Tech’s wireless charging solution, which uses magnetic resonance to transfer power from a ground-based pad to a receiver mounted on a vehicle’s undercarriage. When a compatible vehicle parks over the pad, charging begins automatically, without a cable or connector.
How the wireless charging system works
WiTricity’s system pairs a compact vehicle receiver with a ground assembly that can be installed on or flush with a parking surface, indoors or outdoors. Power is transferred through magnetic resonance when the vehicle parks over the pad.
The company says its ground assemblies are IP-rated, certified and validated against snow, ice, mud and debris. They are also designed to withstand drive-over loads and can be installed flush with parking surfaces.
The announcement does not specify charging power, efficiency, alignment tolerance, pricing or the vehicle models using the system.
Designed for autonomous fleet operations
WiTricity positions the technology for autonomous transit buses, delivery vehicles, logistics fleets and other vehicles that need to recharge during regular stops. Vehicles equipped with a compatible receiver can use compatible ground pads at terminals, depots and other locations along their routes.
The company says frequent opportunity charging can help maintain a higher average battery state of charge. That, in turn, could allow operators to specify smaller battery packs, potentially reducing vehicle cost and increasing available payload.
These are potential operational benefits described by WiTricity. The announcement does not provide fleet data, cost comparisons or battery-pack sizing examples to quantify them.
Autonomous bus deployment cited
WiTricity CEO Joe Benz said the technology has already been deployed with an autonomous electric bus that navigates over charging pads, aligns, parks and initiates charging without human involvement.
According to Benz, the bus can recharge at terminals, layover points, depots or other stops along its daily route. The announcement does not identify the bus operator, deployment location, route, charging power or duration of the deployment.
“Whether the application is autonomous transit buses, delivery vehicles, logistics fleets, or more, our hands-free, infrastructure-flexible charging solution allows these vehicles to operate as autonomously as they were designed to,” Benz said.
About the award
The AutoTech Breakthrough Awards recognize companies, technologies and products across automotive and mobility markets, including autonomous driving, connected-vehicle software, safety systems, fleet management and electrification.
AutoTech Breakthrough said WiTricity was selected because its wireless charging removes a manual step from autonomous vehicle operations. The organization notes that its recognition represents its own opinion and does not constitute an endorsement of any vendor or product.
WiTricity’s medium-power wireless charging systems span 7.2 kW to 50 kW, according to company materials. The company says they are available for OEM, Tier 1 and fleet integration programs.
FAQ: WiTricity Wireless Charging Award
What award did WiTricity win?
WiTricity won the Autonomous Vehicle Innovation of the Year award in the 7th annual AutoTech Breakthrough Awards.
What technology was recognized?
The award recognized WiTricity’s wireless EV charging solution, which transfers power from a ground pad to a vehicle-mounted receiver using magnetic resonance.
How does WiTricity’s wireless charging work?
A vehicle parks over a compatible ground pad. Power transfers automatically through magnetic resonance to a receiver mounted on the vehicle’s undercarriage, without a cable or connector.
Which vehicles can use the technology?
WiTricity positions the system for autonomous transit buses, delivery vehicles, logistics fleets and other commercial or passenger vehicles equipped with a compatible receiver.
Has the technology been deployed?
WiTricity says its technology has powered an autonomous electric bus that charges automatically at stops along its route. The announcement does not identify the operator, route or deployment location.
What charging power does WiTricity offer?
Company materials describe WiTricity’s medium-power wireless charging systems as spanning 7.2 kW to 50 kW. The award announcement does not specify the power rating of the recognized deployment.
