CTEK LICENSES WITRICITY TECHNOLOGY FOR WIRELESS VEHICLE BATTERY CHARGING
Leading battery charger manufacturer looks to revolutionize the automotive battery charging industry.
Modern vehicles are totally reliant upon their electrical systems, with car manufacturers running everything from GPS navigation to electric power steering, stability control, adjustable suspension systems and so much more from the car’s electrical circuits. Most vehicles also rely on a charged battery to allow vehicle access, so a dead battery can ruin the start to anybody’s day.
With such dependence on the electrical system, the importance of keeping a vehicle’s battery charged and in top condition is crucial to its performance and reliability. This has been recognized for many years, which is why most premium carmakers specify CTEK battery chargers and maintainers to their customers, providing them as approved genuine accessories – some specialized vehicles are even supplied with a CTEK charger as standard equipment.
As the world’s leading automotive battery charger manufacturer, CTEK is always looking for ways to make its products even easier to use. They currently have simple one-button operation, easy-to-connect terminals, battery charge indicators and non-reversible connectors. The next step in this development will be heralded by the advent of wireless power transfer using magnetic resonance, initiating a new era in automotive battery charging.
With an eye to the future, 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 applications.
“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.
Since its founding, CTEK has sold more than 6.2 million battery chargers in 70 countries around the world. CTEK is a trusted supplier to many of the world’s most respected car and motorcycle manufacturers, and has won more than 15 different independent battery charger awards since 2005.
“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. In addition to its worldwide reach in consumer markets, CTEK is well positioned within Europe to work with WiTricity in providing a variety of customized battery charging solutions for industrial and transportation applications.”
About CTEK
CTEK SWEDEN AB develops and manufactures battery chargers for all types of lead-acid and lithium batteries for both private and professional use. CTEK’s unparalleled innovation has enabled it to develop cutting edge technology with several patented functions and properties that make CTEK battery chargers and accessories unique.
For more information, please visit www.ctek.com
About WiTricity
WiTricity Corporation provides the foundational technology to enable wireless power transfer over distance using magnetic resonance. Through deep domain expertise, a strong IP portfolio and an extensive reference design library, WiTricity works with innovative companies to incorporate WiTricity technology in their products and solutions. With a growing list of global licensees in consumer electronics, automotive, medical and defense industries, the company has emerged as the leader in wireless power transfer over distance.
For more information, visit witricity.com
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Media Contacts:
CTEK
Jon Lind, CTEK CEO, Sweden
Email: jon.lind@ctek.com
WiTricity
David Schatz, WiTricity
david.schatz@witricity.comJean Serra/Katie Kennedy, Version 2.0 Communications, US PR
kkennedy@v2comms.com
