Researchers from the University of Washington have found a way to use a Wi-Fi router to wirelessly charge batteries for a variety of devices, while simultaneously offering users unhindered access to wireless Internet.
The best part about it is that the new tech is compatible with existing wireless routers, which could be upgraded via a simple firmware update to support it.
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In theory, that means mobile devices including iPhones and Android handsets could be wirelessly charged in the near future while connected to such a router. However, there are still some barriers that would prevent existing mobile devices from being charged with help of PoWiFi today.
First of all, as Wired reports, the FCC imposes a 1W max power output for Wi-Fi routers, which means current routers wouldn’t be able to recharge an iPhone or Android phone under current rules.
