Smartphones and headphones have been charging wirelessly for some time now. The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) is now working to eliminate cables from the kitchen. Whether it’s a toaster, blender, or coffee machine, they can all be powered without a cord using the new technology called Ki, which is not related to artificial intelligence. The WPC is the organization behind the widely used wireless Qi charging technology for smartphones and headphones.
For a kitchen appliance to draw power wirelessly, it must be equipped with a copper coil that converts the magnetic field from the Ki charging point into electricity. Unlike Qi, which is limited to charging currents of 15 watts, Ki can transfer up to 2200 watts. This is enough to power almost all common kitchen appliances. According to Petri Vuori, responsible for the Qi ecosystem at WPC, the specifications of the standard were finalized in December. At the CES, Philips and Midea are showcasing the first devices that function without cables, including a kettle, a blender, a toaster, and a sandwich maker.
Just like Qi charging, the power is transferred inductively. Coils for Ki power supply can be integrated into induction cooktops or hidden under countertops. If a cooktop is used for power supply, normal cooking can still be done on it.
The Ki principle works similarly to Qi. Just like charging a smartphone, electricity flows from the outlet into a copper coil, which converts it into a magnetic field. When a Ki-enabled device is placed on the sender, a copper coil in the device converts the magnetic field back into electricity to power the device. Wireless technology often receives criticism for its lower efficiency compared to wired power supply. The WPC claims to have significantly improved this efficiency compared to previous Qi versions, stating an efficiency between 85 and 90 percent.
Although the material costs for the copper coils and electronics needed for Ki are only a few euros according to the WPC, converting to Ki might be expensive and resource-intensive. This is because it requires not only a new cooktop or countertop but also new household appliances. According to Vuori, the first devices are expected to hit the market in the fall. In addition to Philips and Midea, Bosch, Miele, Whirlpool, Samsung, Beko, and Electrolux are part of the Ki alliance.