5G antennas may soon charge wireless electronic devices

Japanese tech giant SoftBank never lacks innovation ideas. The company is about to begin tests to wirelessly charge headphones, smartwatches, and other wireless wearable devices using modified 5G antennas.

For the system to work, SoftBank must already install devices to transmit electricity in the form of radio signals through 5G antennas. The group will take advantage of two or two opportunities to make this happen. First, loosen Japanese controls on the airwaves.

What if 5G did double duty for charging our devices?

Then its leadership in the field of networking. In fact, SoftBank is preparing to replace more than 200,000 fourth generation antennas with 5G antennas in the archipelago. Concretely, the technology SoftBank developed with Kyoto University, Kanazawa Institute of Technology, and the National Institute of Information and Communication Technology is based on mmWave frequencies.

The electric charge will therefore be transmitted by small transmitters in the 28 GHz band. To charge a compatible device, all you have to do is enter the antenna coverage area. First, you must be less than 10 meters from the transmitter. But SoftBank assures that the distance will quickly extend to a hundred metres.

According to Nikkei Asia, the government should first allow 5G wireless power delivery inside buildings, before allowing 5G wireless charging on the street from 2024. SoftBank could then truly commercialize the technology from 2025.

In addition to connected objects, the ability to charge wireless devices in this way should lead to many applications. It is a matter of transferring energy, for example, to connected types of anti-theft cookies for merchandise. Or to feed sensors inside the body.

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However, it will likely take a long time to see the arrival of this type of technology in countries such as France, where regulation of exposure to waves is particularly stringent. What do you think about being able to wirelessly charge your electronic devices from almost anywhere? Share your opinion in the comments.