Seattle Startup WiBotic Readies Wireless Recharge System for Drones Xconomy

For drones and other autonomous vehicles to carry out lengthy, meaningful assignments such as ongoing aerial surveillance or a day of delivering packages, they will need a reliable way to recharge their batteries with little or no human intervention. Seattle-based startup WiBotic, a spinout from the University of Washington, is developing a suite of wireless charging technology and battery management software that would enable a drone to land on a base station for a quick fill-up, or a slow, battery-friendly overnight recharge. The company, which recently raised a $2.5 million seed funding round from Tsing Capital and other investors, is one of several startups and more established companies trying to crack wireless power, using various technologies, for a wide range of applications. Just in the Seattle area, there's Ossia, which is developing its Cota technology, designed to charge multiple devices in a room, and LaserMotive, which aims to send beams of power to drones in flight or vehicles in space. Wireless charging has been around in concept for a long time.