Gizmodo: ecoupled

Hands-on With Fulton Innovation's eCoupled System: Charges Gadgets with No Wires Necessary

Adam Frucci — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:13:29 EST

Fulton Innovations showed off their eCoupled induction charger with an iPhone that was able to recharge by simply placing it on a surface, no adapters necessary. It was a modded iPhone, sure, but cool nonetheless.

They also talked about batteries that they would soon be offering for phones that, you know, actually let you swap the battery out. This would allow you to buy a new battery for your phone and never plug it in again. It sends a good amount of power through that little amount of air, too, as they had a 2kW blender running with no cords attached. Eventually, phone companies will get on board with this technology, which uses internal coils to pick up the charge, and we won't have to go aftermarket to ditch the wires, but until then it's pretty cool to see this tech in action.

eCoupled Technology Powers Up a Blender Wirelessly

Sean Fallon — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:35:00 EDT

Before you ask, yes it does blend—and it does it all wirelessly. This isn't the first time we have heard about Fulton Innovation's eCoupled intelligent wireless power system, but is the first time the technology has been demoed with a high powered device. eCoupling uses inductive coupling, which transfers energy from one device to another through a shared magnetic field. In this case, we see an eCoupled-enabled countertop pairing with a modified blender.

This demo has been a long time coming, but it has renewed my faith that one day I might actually be able to escape from all of these wires. Fulton reiterates that they are currently working with various partners, including Motorola, Leggett & Platt, and Herman Miller in an effort to make power and charging cords obsolete—but until I am actually blending wire-free I will continue to be cautiously optimistic. [PRNewswire via Crunchgear]

Wireless Docking for iPhone, iPod Coming?

Charlie White — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 09:25:21 EST

In yesterday's patent application Apple filed for its multi-orientation docking station for the iPhone, there was even more tantalizing information: Apple may be preparing wireless docking for its iPhones, iPods and other devices. The technique will use voodoo called induction, and involves hiding coils underneath the surface of a device and its cradle, with the ability to wirelessly transfer data and power.

Here's the evidence:

From the patent application:

"The inductive coils are typically hidden from view behind the housings of each device and therefore they are more aesthetically pleasing than electrical contacts, which need to be exposed in order to operate effectively... Furthermore, inductively based systems are more robust than electrical contacts. For example, there are no contacts to wear out and/or oxidize."

We saw similar technology at CES demonstrated by Fulton Innovation with eCoupled, using inductive coupling to transfer power across thin air. Even though Apple mentioned a similar technique in its patent application, this part of the equation already exists. Expect to see this wireless juju showing up on Apple products and many others in the near future. – Charlie White

Apple may turn to induction for iPod docking, charging [Apple Insider]

Video of eCoupled: Look Ma, No Wires

Charlie White — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 17:47:56 EST

Using the principle of inductive coupling, eCoupled lets you power or charge just about anything without wires. Placing a small chip in a cellphone, frying pan or light bulb lets the system wirelessly conduct electricity. See it at work here.

Its makers, Fulton Innovation, are forming an alliance of companies planning use the technology, including such names as Motorola, Visteon, Herman Miller and Mobility Electronics.

More good news: this wireless induction trick won't add but a buck or two to the final cost of devices. Charge up that cellphone by placing it on a hotspot? Expect the first products using eCoupled by mid-summer. – Charlie White

eCoupled Wireless Power to Debut at CES

Travis Hudson — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:08:17 EST

The Consumer Electronics Show is just a couple weeks away and word is that eCoupled will be debuting their intelligent wireless power system at the show. This system is pretty self-explanatory—power without the wires. We've seen cordless charging pads and such in the past, but this seems like the real deal:

eCoupled technology leverages inductive coupling, which works by transferring energy from one device to another through a shared magnetic field. The technology stems from the foundational work of renowned scientists Michael Faraday and Nikola Tesla.

Sounds cool in type, but how cool is the actual product itself? We'll let you know from the show floor beginning January 8. – Travis Hudson

eCoupled Intelligent Wireless Power [Press Release]