Summary
– Reach, a Wireless Power-at-a-Distance company, demonstrated a groundbreaking RF-based wireless power transfer system for UAVs
– The demo showcased the ability to wirelessly power a drone in flight using a mesh network of four wireless power transmitters
– Reach’s wireless power mesh network offers advantages such as higher power levels, optimized power delivery, and resilience
– The system achieved significant milestones during the demonstration, including transmitting constant power, meshing multiple transmitters, and demonstrating fault tolerance
– This technology has the potential to revolutionize power distribution for UAVs, robots, and other electronic devices, providing a safe, efficient, and dependable power source
Article
The Wireless Power-at-a-Distance company, Reach, has developed and demonstrated a groundbreaking radio frequency (RF) based wireless power transfer system for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) under a project with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The demonstration showcased Reach’s solution by beaming 256 watts of power at a drone in flight using four wireless power transmitters collaborating to create a mesh network. This successful demonstration is a critical step towards creating a practical and scalable RF-based wireless power network that can revolutionize military and commercial applications.
The Reach system sent power to the drone in flight by beaming wireless electricity at a distance of approximately 6 meters, demonstrating that multiple wireless power transmitters can work together to wirelessly power a device. A wireless power mesh network is a collection of interconnected devices functioning as a unified network, providing more power and a wider coverage area. Similar to Wi-Fi mesh networks, Reach’s wireless power mesh network delivers uninterrupted power access to devices within its coverage area, offering immense potential across various domains.
The wireless power mesh network has advantages such as facilitating higher power levels and extended distances between the transmitter and receiver, employing intelligent algorithms to optimize power delivery, delivering resilience with redundant backup technology, and being flexible and highly scalable with easy-to-add or remove modular components. During the demonstration, Reach achieved milestones such as transmitting constant power in the 100s of watts, meshing multiple transmitters to increase overall power, and demonstrating a resilient power beaming network with no single point of failure.
By meshing four transmitters together, the system was able to deliver 50 Watts to the drone to charge its battery, while also demonstrating fault-tolerant networking that enabled the graceful failover of individual power sources. This success represents a significant step forward in the use of wireless power technology to power and charge UAVs, robots, and electronic devices while in operation. The technology revolutionizes operations for government, military, and commercial customers, providing a safe, efficient, and dependable source of persistent power.
Reach’s wireless power technology is built on state-of-the-art patented technology, including high-efficiency power beaming circuits, network optimization algorithms, and adaptive electromagnetic surfaces, providing a scalable, safe, and easy-to-use power platform. Ideally suited for various industries, the Reach solution offers flexible access to power where and when needed, streamlining device deployment and improving performance. Overall, this innovative technology has the potential to transform how power is delivered and utilized in various applications, enhancing efficiency and reliability.
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