Powermat joins Qi promoter Wireless Power Consortium

Powermat, which developed the PMA standard for wireless charging, has joined the Wireless Power Consortium, which created the Qi standard for wireless charging. Powermat competed with the WPC, but had been supporting the Qi standard for several months.

Joining the Wireless Power Consortium means that Powermat will contribute to the development and dissemination of the Qi standard. Powermat has installed 12,000 wireless charging points all over the world.

Powermat’s wireless charging stations are mainly located in Starbucks locations in New York and Boston, as well as in some restaurants in Europe, while the deployment was also planned for European Starbucks locations. While smartphones such as Samsung’s Galaxy S7, S8 and Note 8 supported both PMA and Qi, Qi proved more popular. When Apple’s iPhone 8 and iPhone X started supporting the Qi standard exclusively, Powermat decided to update its wireless charging points with Qi support.

Powermat also recently introduced the Charging Spot 4.0, a wireless charger that can deliver up to 40 watts and is compatible with all wireless charging standards. The Charging Spot can be built into a surface and is intended for use in businesses, such as shops and restaurants. Charging only works if people use the Powermat app.