MediaTek goes to startup for charging tech

LONDON - Fabless communications chip company MediaTek Inchas entered into technology transfer and licensing agreement with WiTricityCorp, a spin off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, on wirelesscharging.

MediaTek (Hsinchu, Taiwan) said it will collaborate withWiTricity (Watertown, Mass) on the development and marketing of chips optimizedfor WiTricity's patented technology for wireless charging over distance.WiTricity was founded in 2007 to commercialize technology developed by companyfounder Professor Marin Soljacic.

MediaTek said it will create wireless charging technologyaimed at mobile handsets, tablet computers, game controllers, digital cameras,and personal navigation devices, but did not say when the technology would beavailable for purchase.

The idea of wireless charging has been pursued by a numberof companies and usually involves a form of inductive loop connection betweenmains supply and a receiver unit built into the handset. In this way phones andtablets could be charged as the sit on a suitably engineered tray or platter.

"Our vision is to enable mobile devices to be totallywireless - no charging cords needed," said David Ku, chief financialofficer and spokesperson for MediaTek, in a statement. "Wireless chargingwill become an essential built-in function for next generation mobiledevices," he added.

"Space inside a smart phone is some of the mostvaluable real estate in the world. MediaTek's semiconductor solutions canminimize the cost and device space required for wireless charging functionality,"said Eric Giler, CEO of WiTricity, in the same statement.

This story was originally posted by EE Times.

MediaTek goes to startup for charging tech