Ikea is to launch a range of furniture which will allow consumers to charge phones and other devices wirelessly.
The Swedish retailer says wireless charging furniture will be available in Europe and North America this April, followed by a global rollout.
Bedside tables, lamps and desks will be fitted with Qi technology that eliminates cables and makes it easier to stay connected with always-charged mobile devices.
The announcement girds support for Qi – the leading global wireless charging standard from the Wireless Power Consortium, a group of companies developing wireless charging technology which includes Belkin, Haier, HTC, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and ZTE.
“Ikea is delivering on its vision of making life at home better with this innovative, stylish and useful new collection that show consumers the beauty and simplicity of wireless charging,” said Menno Treffers, WPC chairman.
“We applaud Ikea for its insight and unique passion for making wireless charging affordable and simple for consumers.”
Qi is the most widely deployed wireless power standard, available in 3000 hotels, restaurants, airports and public locations worldwide. There are now more than 80 Qi-enabled smartphones, 15 models of Qi-enabled cars and countless Qi mobile accessories in the market.
“Our belief is that mobile phones are vital parts to people’s lives at home and their desire to stay connected, and Qi addresses an unmet need to keep devices powered,” said Bjorn Block, range manager for lighting and wireless charging at Ikea.
“As a member of WPC, we value the access to the leading and most advanced global standard for wireless charging.”
Established in 2008, the Wireless Power Consortium is an open, collaborative standards development group of more than 200 company members – large and small competitors and ecosystem partners, from all parts of the industry and all parts of the globe – collaborate for a single purpose: to design and evolve the world’s most useful, safe and efficient standard for wireless power. This global standard is called Qi, and it has become the world’s leading method for transferring electrical power without wires. Qi is designed into 80+ mobile devices, 15 models of cars, has more than 700 registered products that are enjoyed by more than 50 million users worldwide.
