Is your smartphone charging? I ask because in a few hours it will probably be begging for help if you haven't plugged it in. Restoring battery charge on mobile devices is pushing user frustration to the limit, and traditional wireless solutions haven't gained traction. Microsoft Research's Asian division believes it has a solution with the AutoCharge concept, a lamp that automatically locates your smartphone and recharges it with its light.
The Battery Life Problem
While mobile devices have to face multiple limitations, the most important remains battery life. The advances in optimization and power consumption from manufacturers are impressive, yet every benefit is overshadowed by constant user complaints. Batteries must last longer, and so far we haven't seen anything that truly satisfies that. From extended batteries to emergency chargers, users have plenty of resources, but the simple act of plugging in a smartphone is becoming a frustrating task. The market has some wireless alternatives, but most are tied to a specific model. New ideas are needed, and AutoCharge is one of them.
How AutoCharge Works
Imagine for a moment that instead of moving your smartphone to the charger, it's actually the charger that follows your smartphone. In theory, you could place it on any surface in a room and receive power wirelessly, eliminating the classic charging ritual. How does AutoCharge achieve this? By adopting the format of a device composed of a controller, a rotation system, a camera, and an LED light. AutoCharge starts in detection mode and begins moving the camera to take photos. When it detects the presence of a smartphone, it switches to so-called charging mode, turns on the light, and projects the beam onto the device's photovoltaic module. By emitting a specific pattern with LED lights, the smartphone informs AutoCharge that charging is complete, returning it to detection mode. Projecting the light beam correctly is vital for the charger's efficiency, which should be as fast as a traditional one.
The Challenges Ahead
The big challenge will be to miniaturize the design (including a certain aesthetic balance between the smartphone and the photovoltaic module), assuming there are serious plans to bring it to market. Finding the ideal location for the AutoCharge lamp will probably be an adventure in itself, but once installed, users could completely forget about having to charge their smartphones, at least within that room.
