CES 2012: In-car wireless charging

At last week’s Consumer Electronics Show, DigiPower unveiled the world’s first in-car smartphone wireless charging system called the DrivePad. It also announced the DeskPad, a home wireless smartphone charger.

Aiming to revolutionise the way drivers charge their smartphones in the car, Mizco International’s DigiPower division announced the world’s first in-car wireless smartphone charging station, the DrivePad.

At the same time, it showed off the DeskPad, an at-home wireless smartphone charger.

‚Drivers no longer have to worry about snagging a tangled power cord or plugging in every time they have to charge their phone,‚ DigiPower President, Maurice Mizrahi emphasised. ‚With an innovative, sliding ‚SweetSpot‚ charging pad for optimal charging performance, a flexible grip that holds smartphones of all sizes, a convenient FlexArm design and an auxiliary USB power port, the DrivePad truly is the ultimate in-car wireless charging solution.‚

According to Mizrahi, ‚The introduction of the DrivePad underscores our commitment to constantly redefine the standards of portable power products, and this new product line’s debut is certain to strengthen our position as the industry’s number one selling line of portable power solutions.‚

The DrivePad introduces an innovative sliding charge base that allows for perfect alignment between the charge sweet spot of the base station and of the phone. Proper alignment is key to obtain the fastest charging times for a consumer’s QI enabled device.

‚We studied the market to determine the perceptions associated with wireless charging and found the longer charging time to be a problem. So we set out to develop a faster-charging solution, and did so with the DrivePad’s sliding ‚SweetSpot‚ optimised charging pad,‚ said Mizrahi. ‚Whether on the road or in the home, users no longer have to be shackled to the wall to quickly charge their devices. Now they can simply place their smartphone on the DrivePad, then pick it up and go.‚

Available for shipment in March 2012, the in-car DrivePad features a FlexArm design, allowing drivers to position the smartphone exactly where they like it. The DrivePad also features a pivoting head to accommodate either portrait or landscape view, flexible grip tabs to securely hold smartphones of any size and a 1A USB port for charging a second device.

Also available in March 2012, the in-home DeskPad will include a unique perimeter lighting system to make it easy to check the charge status no matter how the pad is positioned on a desk or nightstand. The perimeter lighting system provides a soft downward projected glow around the product base without the harsh light affects of typical Status LEDs. The DeskPad also includes a 1A USB port for charging a second device and an on/off switch for simple operation.

Suggested retail pricing for both the DrivePad and DeskPad will be announced when deliveries begin, according to Mizrahi.

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