Automotive Group Recommends Qi Wireless Charging As Standard

As Qi technology has become widely adopted as a wireless charging standard, the Consumer Electronics for Automotive (CE4A) group has backed it as its recommended method for wireless charging in automobiles. Members of CE4A include Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche, and Volkswagen, and the group operates under the umbrella of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA).

CE4A made its decision after a series of observations, discussions, and workshops on different charging methods, including Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) and the Power Matters Alliance (PMA). The group studied each standard’s installation space, usage profiles, compatibility, and safety, keeping in mind that any choice in charging standard had to be compatible with future requirements and satisfy global needs. The group also sought a standard that would be readily accepted by handset makers and wireless providers, all of which Qi provides.

Qi, developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), will enable in-vehicle wireless charging to over 200 different devices, including the Google Nexus 7 tablet, the Motorola Droid Razr MAXX, Samsung Galaxy S4, Nokia Lumia 1020, and Google Nexus 4. Mobile carriers that sell Qi devices on a global scale include AT&T, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, E-Plus, NTT DoCoMo, O2, Sprint, T-Mobile, Telefonica, and Verizon.Qi can already be found in cars such as the Jeep Cherokee, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Prius, and SsangYong Chairman.