AutoCharge System Charges Phones with Beams of Light

Jan-21-15 The prototype AutoCharge system from Microsoft Research can automatically locate a smartphone on a table or desk and charge it using a beam of light.

The system, which requires the phone to be equipped with a photovoltaic panel, works using object recognition software and overhead camera, such as a Kinect, to continually scan a tabletop. When the system detects a smartphone in the assigned location, it beams focused light onto the phone's panel to charge the battery. An LED display on the phone alerts the AutoCharge system to a fully-charged phone, preventing energy waste and keeping it from trying to charge objects that only resemble smartphones.

The prototype system is still some time away from being a real product, but the team is pleased to have "demonstrated the feasibility and made a significant step towards automatic smartphone (and other mobile devices) charging."

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