The alliance will work on a new wireless power transfer technology without expensive multi-coil repeaters which provides spatial freedom for charging of smart devices in various places and for multiple devices simultaneously.

Seoul Korea ¶ May 08, 2012 - Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom and other five global companies said on May 7 that they will establish a wireless charging group for smart devices, namely A4WP (Alliance for Wireless Power).  According to the press release, the mission of the alliance is “to promote standardization of a wireless power transfer technology that offers spatial freedom” and to develop related certification and regulatory processes, in a bid to create a global ecosystem for wireless power technology.

The alliance will work on a new wireless power transfer technology without expensive multi-coil repeaters which provides spatial freedom for charging of smart devices in various places and for multiple devices simultaneously. The technology also could transfer power through non-metallic surfaces. Samsung Electronics, in particular, unveiled its plan to commercialize the technology at Samsung Unpacked Event where it showcased its new flagship smartphone Galaxy SIII.

The founding members of A4WP are Samsung Electronics, Qualcomm, SK Telecom, Peiker Aucstic, Ever Win International, Gill Industries and Powerma. Also, other global companies in automobiles, furniture, chipset and distribution industries are in negotiation to join the alliance. In the statement released today, SK Telecom's Senior Vice President of Network Technology R&D Center, Jong Ryeol Kang emphasized that “SK Telecom believes wireless charging technology will be the most common way to power mobile devices in the near future.“

Adrian Han (press@whowired.com)