Powermat Technologies

Powermat Technologies Ltd. is an Israeli developer and licensor of wireless-power technology. Founded in 2006 by Ran Poliakine, the company built its business around inductive charging: a transmitter creates an alternating magnetic field through a primary coil, while a receiver in or attached to a device converts the transferred energy into electrical power for battery charging. Powermat’s work has covered both the physical charging hardware and the software and communications layer used to operate networks of charging points. The company’s initial commercial products appeared in 2009. Its portfolio has included receivers for mobile devices, transmitters and charging mats for consumers, and charging systems designed for public venues. In a typical venue deployment, charging spots are connected to a gateway and managed through software that allows operators to monitor and administer the network and provide user-facing interaction. Powermat has also licensed its intellectual property and designed systems compatible with major wireless-power standards, including the Power Matters Alliance platform, later associated with AirFuel, and the Qi standard. Powermat pursued adoption through partnerships with consumer-electronics companies, battery developers, automobile manufacturers, furniture and seating suppliers, restaurants, coffee chains, airports, and entertainment venues. In 2011, General Motors announced plans to integrate Powermat technology into selected vehicles in the 2013 Chevrolet Volt line and to invest in the privately held company. During the same period, Powermat worked with Leyden Energy on wireless-chargeable batteries and with Arconas on integrating charging into airport seating. Deployments were reported at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Aspen–Pitkin County Airport, Eppley Airfield in Omaha, and Toronto Pearson International Airport. A major consumer-facing development was the Duracell Powermat joint venture with Procter & Gamble, which began operating in January 2012. The venture used the Duracell brand to market wireless charging products and venue installations. Entertainer Jay-Z became its public representative and took an equity interest. The collaboration also led to installations at locations associated with Madison Square Garden and the 40/40 Club. Powermat subsequently helped establish the Power Matters Alliance with Procter & Gamble in 2013. The alliance brought together participants from the semiconductor, consumer-electronics, and public sectors to promote interoperable and managed wireless power; AT&T and Starbucks were among its board members, while Samsung, LG, HTC, BlackBerry, Huawei, ZTE and major component suppliers were listed among its members. Public-place charging became an important part of the company’s market strategy. Starbucks tested Powermat charging surfaces in tabletops at 17 Boston-area stores beginning in 2012 and later expanded its use to additional locations, including a rollout across 150 Chicago stores announced in 2016. Powermat also reported deployments at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf stores, McDonald’s restaurants in New York City and selected European locations, and other public venues. In 2013, it acquired Powerkiss, a Helsinki-based wireless-charging developer founded in 2008 that had installed charging hotspots in Europe. Powermat continued to develop embedded and surface-based charging applications. In 2014 it agreed with Flextronics to collaborate on embedding wireless power in mobile electronics. Samsung’s Galaxy S6 series included wireless charging in 2015, while Powermat and DuPont introduced a Corian charging surface that year. The company’s market position changed substantially after Apple introduced Qi inductive charging in the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X in 2017. Powermat stated that its existing charging spots would support Qi-compatible iPhones, joined the Wireless Power Consortium in early 2018, and announced SmartInductive technology. In September 2018, its headquarters moved to a new office in Petah Tikva, Israel. Elad Dubzinski was appointed chief executive officer in December 2016.

Powermat Technologies was founded in Israel in 2006 by Ran Poliakine to develop wireless-power systems based on inductive energy transfer. The company’s technology uses a transmitter coil to create an alternating magnetic field and a receiver coil in a device or accessory to convert the transferred energy into electrical current. Its system also included communications between the transmitter and receiver, allowing the charging equipment to identify receivers and respond to operating conditions. Powermat launched its first products in 2009. Rather than limiting the business to standalone consumer accessories, it developed receivers and transmitters for mobile devices, consumers, and public venues, while also licensing related intellectual property. For public installations, Powermat supplied charging spots, gateways, and software that enabled venue owners to operate and manage their wireless-power networks. The company expanded through commercial and technology partnerships. In 2011, General Motors announced that Powermat technology would be integrated into selected vehicles in the 2013 Chevrolet Volt line and that it would invest in Powermat. Powermat also worked with Leyden Energy on wireless-chargeable batteries and with Arconas on incorporating charging into airport seating. Reported airport installations included Chicago O’Hare, Aspen–Pitkin County Airport, Eppley Airfield in Omaha, and Toronto Pearson International Airport. Powermat’s partnership with Procter & Gamble produced the Duracell Powermat joint venture, which began operations in January 2012. The venture placed the technology under the Duracell brand and used entertainer Jay-Z as a public representative and equity participant. Charging installations followed at Madison Square Garden and at tables in Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club in New York. In 2013, Powermat and Procter & Gamble founded the Power Matters Alliance, a standards and industry organization intended to advance smart wireless power. AT&T and Starbucks were among its board members, and the listed membership included major handset makers, semiconductor companies, and accessory suppliers. Public charging networks became a central application. Starbucks tested Powermat surfaces in 17 Boston-area stores in 2012. After the pilot ended in 2013, Starbucks elected to extend the technology to additional Silicon Valley locations. Powermat also announced deployments at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf locations, McDonald’s restaurants in New York City and selected European sites, and other public venues. In 2013, Powermat acquired Powerkiss, a Helsinki-based company founded in 2008 that had developed integrated charging systems and deployed European hotspots. The company continued pursuing embedded charging and material integration. It collaborated with Flextronics in 2014 on embedding wireless power into mobile electronics. In 2015, Samsung’s Galaxy S6 series incorporated wireless charging, and Powermat and DuPont introduced a Corian charging surface. In 2016, Powermat announced installations at 150 Starbucks stores in Chicago, and Elad Dubzinski was appointed chief executive officer in December. Apple’s 2017 introduction of Qi charging in the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X increased the importance of Qi compatibility across public charging infrastructure. Powermat announced that its existing charging spots would be compatible with the new iPhones. In early 2018, the company joined the Wireless Power Consortium, the organization associated with the Qi standard, and announced SmartInductive technology. In September 2018, Powermat moved its headquarters to a new office in Petah Tikva. The available reference material does not establish later corporate ownership, financial performance, or a definitive current operating status beyond the company’s continuing presentation as a wireless-power technology business.

• 2018

  Wireless Power Consortium membership and headquarters move

  [1]Powermat Technologiesen.wikipedia.org

  Powermat joined the Wireless Power Consortium, announced SmartInductive technology, and moved its headquarters to Petah Tikva.

• 2017

  Qi-compatible iPhones changed market conditions

  [1]Powermat Technologiesen.wikipedia.org

  Apple introduced Qi inductive charging in the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X; Powermat announced compatibility for its existing charging spots.

• 2016

  Chicago Starbucks rollout announced

  [1]Powermat Technologiesen.wikipedia.org

  Powermat announced deployment at 150 Starbucks stores in Chicago.

• 2015

  Corian charging surface launched

  [1]Powermat Technologiesen.wikipedia.org

  Powermat and DuPont introduced a wireless-charging surface based on Corian.

• 2013

  Power Matters Alliance founded

  [1]Powermat Technologiesen.wikipedia.org

  Powermat and Procter & Gamble established the Power Matters Alliance to promote wireless-power adoption.

• 2013

  Powerkiss acquired

  [1]Powermat Technologiesen.wikipedia.org

  Powermat acquired European wireless-charging developer Powerkiss.

• 2012

  Duracell Powermat began operations

  [1]Powermat Technologiesen.wikipedia.org

  Powermat and Procter & Gamble launched their Duracell Powermat joint venture.

• 2011

  Automotive and airport partnerships expanded

  [1]Powermat Technologiesen.wikipedia.org

  General Motors announced Chevrolet Volt integration and investment, while Powermat also pursued battery and airport-seating applications.

• 2009

  First products launched

  [1]Powermat Technologiesen.wikipedia.org

  Powermat brought its first wireless-charging products to market.

• 2006

  Company founded

  [1]Powermat Technologiesen.wikipedia.org

  Ran Poliakine founded Powermat Technologies in Israel.

Powermat positions itself as a wireless-power technology and infrastructure company rather than only a maker of consumer charging mats. Its proposition combines inductive charging hardware, licensing and standards participation, embedded-device integration, and software for operating public charging networks. The brand has emphasized convenient charging in shared spaces such as airports, restaurants, coffee shops, arenas, vehicles, and retail venues.

• Mobile-device accessories · 2009

  Powermat wireless charging receivers

  Receivers designed to allow compatible mobile devices or accessories to draw power inductively from Powermat transmitters. The receiver communicates with the transmitter through the charging system’s control layer, enabling the platform to recognize individual receivers and manage the power-transfer process. Powermat produced receiver solutions for the mobile industry and consumer market, including systems intended to support established wireless-power standards.

• Consumer wireless chargers · 2009

  Powermat charging mats and transmitters

  Transmitter products create the alternating magnetic field used to transfer power to a compatible receiver. Consumer-facing versions were marketed as charging mats or surfaces on which users could place supported devices. The underlying platform was also adapted for commercial and embedded applications rather than being limited to household charging accessories.

• Public charging infrastructure

  Powermat public charging network

  A venue-oriented system composed of wireless charging spots, a gateway, and management software. Venue operators could install charging into tabletops, counters, seating, or other shared surfaces and use the software layer to control and manage the installed network. Deployments were reported in airports, restaurants, coffee shops, retail locations, and entertainment venues.

• Branded wireless charging system · 2012

  Duracell Powermat

  A consumer and venue charging business created through Powermat’s joint venture with Procter & Gamble. The offering combined Powermat’s inductive wireless-power technology with the Duracell brand and was promoted through products and installations in locations including Madison Square Garden and the 40/40 Club.

• Wireless-power technology · 2018

  SmartInductive

  A wireless-power technology announcement associated with Powermat’s 2018 membership in the Wireless Power Consortium. The available reference describes SmartInductive as part of Powermat’s effort to develop and promote managed, standards-aware inductive charging, but does not provide a complete commercial specification.

• Embedded charging surface · 2015

  DuPont Corian charging surface

  A charging-surface product developed with DuPont and introduced in 2015. It integrated Powermat wireless charging into Corian material, extending the technology into furniture, counters, architectural surfaces, and other environments where a conventional charging mat could be visually or physically inconvenient.

• 2016Starbucks Chicago rollout

  United States

  Powermat announced a larger deployment of wireless charging systems at 150 Starbucks stores in Chicago, turning the earlier pilot model into a substantial city-level installation.

  Source
• 2013Public-venue charging deployments

  United States · Europe

  Powermat announced or supported installations at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf locations, McDonald’s restaurants in New York City and selected European sites, airports, and entertainment venues. These deployments promoted wireless charging as an amenity embedded into existing public infrastructure.

  Source
• 2012Starbucks Boston wireless-charging pilot

  United States

  Powermat and Starbucks installed wireless charging surfaces in tabletops at 17 Boston-area Starbucks stores. The pilot tested whether public charging could be integrated into everyday retail environments while meeting Starbucks’ environmental guidelines.

  Outcome. After the pilot ended in July 2013, Starbucks elected to extend Powermat technology to additional locations in Silicon Valley.

  Source

• 2017

  Respond to Apple’s adoption of QiStrategy

  Background

  Apple’s inclusion of Qi inductive charging in the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X increased the importance of Qi compatibility for public charging infrastructure.

  Action taken

  Powermat announced that its existing charging spots would be compatible with Qi-enabled iPhones.

  Aftermath

  Powermat joined the Wireless Power Consortium in early 2018 and announced SmartInductive technology.

  Source

• 2014

  Collaborate with Flextronics on embedded wireless powerStrategy

  Background

  Powermat pursued integration of wireless charging directly into mobile electronic devices rather than relying only on external accessories.

  Action taken

  Powermat and Flextronics agreed to collaborate on embedding wireless power into mobile electronics.

  Source

• 2013

  Establish the Power Matters AllianceStrategy

  Background

  Wireless-power adoption depended on cooperation among device makers, component suppliers, infrastructure operators, and standards participants.

  Action taken

  Powermat and Procter & Gamble founded the Power Matters Alliance to advance smart and environmentally oriented wireless power.

  Aftermath

  The alliance included major electronics and semiconductor companies and was later associated with the AirFuel wireless-power ecosystem.

  Source

• 2013

  Acquire PowerkissM&A

  Background

  Powerkiss had developed integrated wireless charging and operated charging hotspots across Europe.

  Action taken

  Powermat acquired Powerkiss, headquartered in Helsinki, Finland.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition expanded Powermat’s access to European wireless-charging deployments and integrated charging expertise.

  Source

• 2012

  Create the Duracell Powermat joint ventureM&A

  Background

  Powermat sought to expand from technology development and licensing into broader consumer adoption and branded retail distribution.

  Action taken

  Powermat and Procter & Gamble created the Duracell Powermat joint venture, combining Powermat’s charging platform with the Duracell brand.

  Aftermath

  The venture supported consumer products and installations at venues including Madison Square Garden and the 40/40 Club.

  Source

1. 1Powermat Technologiesen.wikipedia.org