Worldwide standard endorsed: An end to cable clutter: Mercedes-Benz to introduce wireless charging

Stuttgart, Sep 06, 2013 – The wireless connection of telephones in cars is standard today. Connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth, a smartphone can be used to make and receive calls, to establish a connection to the cloud, to enable the use of Mercedes-Benz apps – and it can be operated safely and conveniently via the multifunction steering wheel, voice control or turn/push controls. But one problem remains: when the telephone’s battery is empty, it has to be wired up for recharging. This is now set to change. As from next year, Mercedes-Benz is to fit out its vehicles with wireless charging technology. The magic word is “Qi”.

This term stands for the worldwide standard defined by the Wireless Power Consortium for the wireless charging of smartphones and tablets, based on the physical principle of electromagnetic induction. For the purposes of wireless charging, the Qi-compatible smartphone/tablet merely requires to be placed in the vicinity of the Qi charging station, e.g. in the centre armrest or the glove compartment – charging then begins automatically. When the battery is full or the device is removed, the charging process is discontinued automatically.

Following a comprehensive analysis of various charging options, “Consumer Electronics for Automotive” (CE4A) has endorsed Qi as the worldwide charging standard in passenger cars. CE4A is an association of automobile manufacturers which aims to promote standardisation of the integration of smartphones and tablets in vehicles. Daimler is a founder member of CE4A and directs one of the eight CE4A expert groups.

SOURCE: Daimler