Ossia Inc, the Redmond-based company behind Cota Real Wireless Power technology has just been awarded certification for its technology so that it can now be used in the EU and UK. Cota Real Wireless Power is a patented technology that can delivers electrical power over-the-air, at a distance, without the need for line-of-sight signal. The technology is the first RF-based and non-line-of-sight wireless power transmission to receive EU/UK Type Examination Certificates.
The certifications confirm that the Cota system meets compliance regulations with respect to radio, emissions, immunity, and RF safety standards applicable under the EU’s Radio Equipment Directive and the UK’s Radio Equipment Regulations.
Along with the certification, Ossia also received compliance with the European restrictions on hazardous substances in electrical equipment (RoHS) and product safety requirements. This means the Cota system can now be licensed and sold with the CE marking in Europe and the UKCA mark in the UK. Previously, the Cota system was only authorized for sale in the US.
This latest certification follows on from two recent US FCC certifications of Cota wireless power technology. These latest certifications mean that Ossia can now service clients globally. The lack of distance limitations is a significant advantage and shows that a single Cota transmitter has now been tested to safely and effectively deliver power over air without any limitations on distance.
Doug Stovall is Ossia’s CEO and his view on the future for wireless power is emphatic: “As the world shifts to prioritize the value of data analytics by adding sensors, IoT and productivity devices, one quickly realizes that the world cannot be supported with disposable batteries or cumbersome, expensive wiring.
“Wireless power is a fundamental enabling technology, like Bluetooth, Wi-FI and smartphones, that is essential to realizing the mass data potential of 5G and edge computing. It empowers previously impossible functionality, while easing the consumer’s ever-present ‘battery-anxiety.”
Stovall went on to say: “The future of the world with wireless power at a distance will have tremendous impact on sustainability and automation by powering devices everywhere, all the time. Today, people no longer have to think about internet connectivity. Tomorrow, they won’t have to think about power connectivity.
“Even if the device is on the move or is not in the line-of-sight of the transmitter, power can be efficiently and continuously delivered with Cota. This UK and EU certification paves the way for a whole new level of innovation and product development across a wide range of industries globally.”
Cota Real Wireless Power is currently deployed in several customer applications, including as an asset tracker for the logistics and transportation industry in the US. Ossia has more than 158 issued and allowed patents globally and 213 active utility patent assets for its wireless power transfer system. The EU certification is the latest official recognition of the technology and means that global wireless power devices will be available through Ossia's commercial partners.
These final regulatory hurdles should see more Cota-enabled products appearing and, in conjunction with the rollout of 5G, should mean that technology can now be developed for deployment in areas where there are no power sources. It’s now down to the electronics industry to come up with some innovative solutions for harnessing this clever technology.
