CTEK to offer wireless vehicle battery charging
CTEK Corporation has announced a technology and patent license agreement with WiTricity, the industry pioneer in wireless power transfer over distance. The licensing agreement enables CTEK to commercialize WiTricity’s patented technology to create high performance, efficient wireless charging systems for a wide range of battery charging and battery conditioning applications in various automotive and powersports vehicles.
“CTEK will adopt WiTricity’s technology to revolutionize battery charging by removing the need for cables in a wide range of automotive, industrial and recreational vehicle battery systems, eliminating the need for our customers to plug in,” said CTEK CEO Jon Lind. “We are excited to be on the forefront of the next generation of battery charging products for consumers and the automotive industry and look forward to leveraging WiTricity’s ground-breaking technology to bring a new level of convenience and ease of use to market.”
Under the terms of this licensing agreement, CTEK will be able to create wireless charging solutions based on WiTricity technology for a wide range of vehicle battery systems. By providing a flexible and efficient method of wireless power transfer, CTEK will begin to develop a line of products that will bring a new level of convenience and ease to battery charging.
Future applications should make it possible for drivers to simply park over a contact patch in their garage or parking spot, leaving the battery to charge in their absence. Owners who have vehicles for occasional use, such as classic cars or powersports machines that only come out at the weekend, could also take advantage of such a device.
Among the myriad of potential uses for this new technology, emergency vehicles could be among the first to benefit. First responders need their vehicles to start first time, every time, maintaining electrical systems while the vehicle is parked.
“WiTricity is excited to partner with CTEK, a company that is respected for both its technical prowess and worldwide distribution network,” said WiTricity CEO Alex Gruzen. “CTEK is a world leader in designing charging systems for a wide range of applications, and has a number of technologies to complement WiTricity’s cutting edge wireless power transfer technology.”
