February 20, 2024

WiBotic Partner re:Charge-e Spotlighted for E-bike Charging Program

Congratulations to WiBotic partner re:Charge-e for recent coverage of their revolutionary new e-bike charging stations. As discussed in a recent Times Union article, cities have been quick to roll out EV charging stations but few have a viable charging infrastructure for rapidly growing fleets of shared e-bikes and scooters. Wireless power is the perfect technology for robust outdoor battery charging and WiBotic is proud to partner with market leaders in this space such as re:Charge-e!

https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/revolutionizing-transport-albany-startup-18670019.php

December 21, 2023

Spotlight on WiBotic at the InOrbit Robot Space

Thanks to InOrbit for recently highlighting our partnership and collaboration with them at their new Mountain View, CA “Robot Space”. Visitors to the facility will see the WiBotic charging system in action while exploring InOrbit’s RobotOps cloud-based software platform for quickly deploying and managing diverse robot fleets.

September 8, 2023

Powering the Wireless Warehouse

Electronic Design Magazine has published a new article by WiBotic extolling the benefits of wireless power for Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems! Click on the link or image below to learn more about the benefits WiBotic technology offers for these extremely high-speed/high-throughput fulfillment systems!

July 3, 2023

How to Build a Power Grid on the Moon

IEEE Spectrum just published an exciting article about efforts to energize the surface of the moon, including a discussion of WiBotic’s work with Astrobotic to power lunar rovers.

As NASA returns humans and robots to the lunar surface, reliable power delivery will be critical. WiBotic is leading the way in the development of wireless power technology that will survive extreme temperature swings, recover from severe solar radiation events, and stand up to the abrasive effects of lunar dust. More to come as our first space-qualified systems are released next year!

June 29, 2023

WiBotic and Interoperability

Cesareo Contreras of Robotics 24/7 recently interviewed WiBotic CEO, Ben Waters, for an article on the growing trend toward interoperability in the mobile robotics market. The article covers fleet management software that can coordinate the actions of multiple types of robots operating in the same facility. It goes on to discuss the need for interoperable charging systems that provide programmable voltage and current so different robots can share the same charging station infrastructure – a capability all WiBotic products provide! Check out the article here!

May 4, 2023

WiBotic Introduces PowerPad Pro, Significantly Enhancing UAV Capabilities for Energy and Utility, Construction, Defense and Agriculture Applications

NEWS RELEASE BY

WiBotic

Seattle, WA | May 04, 2023 09:00 AM, Pacific

Today WiBotic – a Seattle company that specializes in advanced charging and power optimization solutions for the rapidly expanding ecosystem of aerial, mobile, space and industrial robots – introduced PowerPad Pro, a stand-alone platform which can also seamlessly integrate into any existing hangar or other UAV storage facility. PowerPad Pro automatically charges drones without physical connection points, while wirelessly transferring flight data, images and video.

“PowerPad Pro enhances drone functionality for our partners working in environments where autonomous or semi-autonomous operations are a priority,” said Ben Waters, co-founder and CEO, WiBotic. “We designed it as a flexible solution for those who either already own and operate drones – and have their own infrastructure in place – or those who are looking for a more cost-effective option for fully autonomous operations. PowerPad Pro can be used as a stand-alone landing platform, or it can be integrated into any number of enclosures and form-factors such as trailers, sheds, or even truck beds.”

One of WiBotic’s first partners for PowerPad Pro is Valmont Industries Inc., a global leader that provides vital infrastructure and advances agricultural productivity while driving innovation through technology. “Valmont has been working closely with WiBotic and other partners to enhance our drone inspection capabilities,” said Angi Chamberlain, VP of UAS Technology Solutions at Valmont. “For the first time, PowerPad Pro provides a charging platform that works with any of the different UAVs we use. Remote flight plan uploads and automated sensor data downloads also allow us to perform inspections on a moment’s notice at any location where the platform is deployed.”

Wireless Data Transfer:

During battery charging, PowerPad Pro’s wireless data transfer enables UAVs to quickly and easily download flight and sensor data to an industrial computer inside the pad. The data can then be processed locally and/or automatically transmitted to a central location using LTE or long-range data backhaul radios. Using the same wireless data link, remote operators can upload flight plans or monitor flights in real-time, ensuring safe and controlled flights. Without this capability, high-resolution images, video and other data can quickly fill the UAV’s onboard storage. By removing this restriction, PowerPad Pro provides more flexibility and versatility in the missions that UAVs can perform.

Autonomous Charging:

In addition to wireless data transfer, PowerPad Pro also automatically begins wireless battery charging upon landing. This eliminates the need for cables and connectors and allows different sizes and types of UAVs to share a common landing pad platform (or series of platforms) deployed across large areas.

Unlike contact-based charging stations, WiBotic’s patented technology provides power through the air. The pad is fully sealed to the elements, protecting both electronics and mechanical components from dust, debris, rain, insects and other environmental factors that may eventually impact reliability. Programmable voltage and current also helps extend battery lifespan, reducing the need for costly battery replacements and maintenance.

Industry Benefits:

By offering these dual benefits – wireless data transfer coupled with autonomous charging – PowerPad Pro dramatically enhances drone operations across a number of industries:

• Energy & Utilities: Utility operators need data from infrastructure inspection every day – not once or twice a year. Permanently deployed UAVs with the ability to fly multiple repetitive missions, using one PowerPad Pro or a series of them over long distances, are critical for reducing inspection costs while increasing inspection frequency.
• Construction: Remotely monitoring construction sites provides innumerable benefits in terms of safety, build quality and owner/builder/subcontractor relations. However, most construction data is extremely high bandwidth and getting it to engineers and project managers at remote locations is extremely difficult without a solution like PowerPad Pro.
• Defense: Drones are frequently equipped with high-resolution cameras, infrared sensors and other advanced imaging equipment that gather terabytes of data. In a combat zone, however, it’s extremely dangerous to leave a protected vehicle to swap batteries or retrieve the SD cards that contain that data. A fully autonomous platform like PowerPad Pro ensures the warfighter remains protected while he or she gathers intelligence on enemy movements.
• Agriculture: UAVs have made monitoring thousands of acres of farmland easier than ever before – but that’s not to say it’s easy. Drones still have limited flight time and limited onboard data storage. A network of strategically placed PowerPad Pros solves this problem by providing charging stations across the entire farm and automatic backhaul of data to the farm HQ where it can be put to immediate use.

While these onboard chargers can be integrated into nearly any UAV, Wibotic is pleased to announce BlueHalo as the first partner for PowerPad Pro. The BlueHalo Intense Eye V2 (IE-V2) and E900 models can now be purchased with WiBotic’s PowerPad Pro to support both charging and data offload.

“BlueHalo provides UAVs to both the commercial and defense sectors, with extensive experience in applications ranging from inspection and monitoring to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions,” said Mary Clum, Sector President and Corporate Executive Vice President of BlueHalo. “There is a growing demand for permanently deployed and remotely controlled UAVs. PowerPad Pro has given us a single, reliable tool to integrate autonomous charging and data offload capabilities into our UAV platforms, allowing us to offer new solutions and better support critical customer missions.”

To see a video of PowerPad Pro in action please visit: https://vimeo.com/821425665

PowerPad Pro will also be on display at the upcoming AUVSI Xponential show in Denver, CO May 8-11, 2023.

About WiBotic:

WiBotic provides wireless charging and power optimization solutions for the rapidly growing ecosystem of aerial, mobile and marine robots. Its solutions help companies optimize the uptime of robot fleets and are an integral component of fully autonomous robotic operations. WiBotic works with companies in a variety of industries. For more information, please go to: www.wibotic.com

Contact Details

Forrest Carman

+1 206-859-3118

forrestc@owenmedia.com

Company Website

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April 19, 2023

WiBotic named to the 2023 RBR50!

WiBotic is very proud to announce that today we were named a 2023 RBR50 Award Winner.  This is the second time we’ve received this prestigious honor – this time for our work providing combined wireless power and data solutions to the exploding market for Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS). 

As described by WTWH Media, publishers of the Robotics Business Review, “For over a decade, the RBR50 Robotic s Innovation Awards have highlighted the most creative and influential innovations from around the world that have advanced the state of robotics.”   WiBotic has been a leader in wireless power for AMRs since before our first RBR50 Award in 2021.  Our technology has recently been expanded to the AS/RS market where an extremely high number of daily charge/power cycles can damage physical contact points – making wireless power a no-brainer.  The Award also recognizes WiBotic’s work to send and receive control data through the existing wireless power equipment – thus increasing data network reliability while containing costs. 

Thanks to the WTWH editorial board for this amazing honor!