The US car manufacturer Tesla has announced a wireless charging platform for smartphones and other Qi-enabled devices. Its function is reminiscent of the AirPower charging mat that Apple once planned and then discontinued. Tesla’s $300 device is scheduled to ship in February 2023 and can charge up to three devices at once.
The manufacturer promises that every device on Tesla’s wireless charging platform can be charged with 15 watts per device. Inspired by the Cybertruck, the aluminum design has an Alcantara finish on top and also features a detachable magnetic stand to position the charging station at a specific angle. The device is delivered with a 65-watt connector plug with USB-C.
Tesla’s charging platform with 30 coils inside
A video in the Tesla shop shows that 30 overlapping coils are arranged inside, which make it possible to place devices almost anywhere. Many wireless chargers require the devices being charged to be properly oriented in order for charging to work. Apple uses a trick on its MagSafe-compatible devices introduced in 2020, as the charging puck aligns itself on the back of an iPhone using magnets.
The AirPower charging mat, a similar concept, was presented by Apple in September 2017 and announced for 2018. After that, however, reports of alleged problems with overheating and unreliability in internal tests piled up. In March 2019, Apple finally declared that AirPower did not live up to its own claims. Therefore it was not published.
(mki)
