Qi Wireless Charging Adoption Momentum Expands to Airports, Offices, Restaurants, Hotels Around the Globe

PISCATAWAY, N.J., Aug. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Qi, the global wireless power standard, has entered mainstream consumer adoption and solidified its position as market leader. Recent proof of this momentum comes from companies such as Deloitte, Facebook, Google, Lexus, Texas Instruments and Verizon Wireless, which have deployed Qi wireless charging in its corporate locations or products. With new Qi installations in airports, public venues, office buildings, restaurants, hotels and cars, the installed base of Qi-enabled wireless chargers increased to over 30 countries and more than a million locations.

"WPC's 200-strong member companies are fueling exciting innovation of the Qi standard, Qi products and Qi-based business services, which is driving the accelerated adoption of wireless charging by consumers and businesses around the globe," said John Perzow, vice president of market development for the WPC. "Companies across a wide range of industries have integrated Qi into their daily operations. There are more than 65 models of Qi-enabled phones and over 500 different products that use Qi. This deployed base and industry commitment to the Qi standard has allowed over 50 million users to experience the utility and convenience of wireless charging and related services."

The WPC is the driving force behind the global adoption of wireless power.  Comprising more than 200 innovative companies around the world, WPC members have collaborated to create an evolving, backward-compatible standard. Since 2008, WPC's growing ecosystem has worked to put more than 500 Qi consumer products into mass production. Millions of people around the world now enjoy the benefits of wireless charging like convenience, new business services and the confidence that comes from an always-powered up device. 

There are a growing number of companies across a range of markets that have already integrated Qi into their daily operations and key offerings:

Offices

• Facebook, Google, Texas Instruments, Verizon and other notable companies have deployed Qi chargers in corporate meeting rooms.
• Described as the most sustainable office building in the world, Deloitte's state-of-the-art building in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has all of its office desks outfitted with Qi wireless chargers from ZENS.

Restaurants

• Nine additional McDonald's restaurants in Hannover, Germany, recently installed Qi chargers.
• Toronto's Kanga Cafeinstalled Qi wireless charging in its tables, so patrons can enjoy Australian cuisine while charging without an outlet. Also in Toronto, coffee shops across the city have adopted Qi, including: Balzacs, Coffee Bar Inc., Sense Appeal and Thor.
• Technologically-advanced Kitchen 67, based in Michigan, also distinguishes itself with Qi.
• Haier has installed Qi charging devices in a Haidilao restaurant in Qingdao, and is working on a Qi Coffee project in Beijing with 30 charging spots.

Hotels

• Kube Systems recently unveiled a universal charging system featuring Qi, the PowerKube. Given the strength of this product line, it later announced a business agreement with Marriott International, Inc., to deliver a premium charging solution that meets the technology needs of guests for its Marriott Hotels brand.

Airports

• Verizon has deployed 800 Qi-enabled charging spots at major airports around the U.S.
• Haier has installed Qi charging locations in the Capital International Airport in Beijing, China.
• In Japan, DoCoMo has planted countless Qi chargers in airports and train stations throughout the country.

Public Venues

• Qi has been installed throughout the Clerkenwell design district in London; at France's Roland Garros stadium (home to the French Open); and is currently being installed in major stadiums and venues in the U.S.

Automotive

• Qi chargers are offered in various models of Toyota, Honda, Chrysler, General Motors, Lexus and SsangYong vehicles. If your car has wireless charging, it's Qi-ready. After a three-year study, the German auto consortium CE4A has recommended Qi for in-car wireless charging in Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen

"The companies that are new to offering Qi wireless charging to its customers, and those that have been deploying Qi for quite some time, invest in the Qi wireless charging infrastructure because the companies' leadership understands it will positively affect its business," said Menno Treffers, chairman of the WPC. "It is not necessary to subsidize Qi charger deployment because the latest generation of Qi wireless chargers are easy to use, easy to install and easy to integrate with other networked services."

For more information, visit: www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com.

About Qi and the Wireless Power Consortium
In December 2008, a group of leading consumer electronics companies created the Wireless Power Consortium to establish Qi as the interoperable global standard for wireless power. The more than 200 members of the WPC include: ConvenientPower, Energizer, Formica, Foxconn, Haier, HTC, IKEA, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, PowerByProxi, Qualcomm, Royal Philips, Samsung, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Sony, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, Verizon Wireless, ZTE and infrastructure groups, such as wireless operators, furniture and automotive parts manufacturers. Innovative companies have brought more than 500 Qi products to market and there are over 50 million Qi devices in use; making Qi the leading wireless charging standard worldwide. Qi products are available in North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Europe, India, Africa and Australia.

SOURCE Wireless Power Consortium