---
title: "The FCC Has Approved a World-First Wireless Charger"
description: "The FCC has approved a device that's the first of its kind. WattUp is a wireless charger that can power gadgets completely wirelessly from three feet away."
date: "2017-12-27"
modified: "2017-12-27"
authors:
  - name: "Dom Galeon"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/domgaleon"
url: "https://futurism.com/fcc-approved-world-first-wireless-charger"
categories:
  - "FCC"
  - "Future Society"
tags:
  - "distance charging"
  - "mobile device"
  - "wireless charging"
---

# The FCC Has Approved a World-First Wireless Charger

![wireless charging mobile device wattup distance charging](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pghead-software-1.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="http://72.32.162.220/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/pghead-software-1.jpg" target="\_blank"\>Energous\</a\>\</em\>*

## Truly Wireless Charger

A wireless charger is not a new concept. Although unencumbered by flimsy wiring, these chargers do need to be physically in contact with mobile devices to work, and usually that's through a charging plate.

But what if you could charge your phone in a *truly* wireless fashion?

That's what the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved on December 26, 2017 when they gave a power-at-a-distance wireless charging certification to a device called the WattUp Mid Field transmitter.

Developed by the San Jose-based startup Energous, WattUp uses radio frequencies to charge mobile devices at a distance of up to 91.44 cm (3 ft). Though the distance covers barely a meter, it certainly exceeds the length of your typical charging cable. The transmitter converts electricity to radio frequencies, which are then beamed into devices that have a corresponding receiver.

## The Future of Mobile Connectivity

Energous isn't the first startup that promised to bring [a true wireless charging experience](<https://futurism.com/a-company-has-finally-said-they-will-bring-real-wireless-charging>), in fact some companies are even working on [a similar concept for electric vehicles](<https://futurism.com/bmw-is-releasing-a-wireless-charging-pad-in-2018>). Energous, however, is the first to have their technology officially approved by the FCC, which says a lot about WattUp's potential.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0LAzFB0Qh8&feature=youtu.be

"The FCC certification of Energous' power-at-a-distance wireless charging transmitter is a major market milestone. It opens up options, outside of just contact-based charging, to Wireless Charging 2.0: an ecosystem where devices can be charged both, via pad and at a distance," Stephen R. Rizzone, Energous president and CEO, said in [a press announcement](<https://ir.energous.com/press-releases/detail/596/energous-receives-industry-first-fcc-certification-for>).

Not only does it offer untethered charging, but WattUp can also charge several devices — phones, tablets, keyboards, presumably even smartwatches — at the same time, provided that they're paired with the right receiver. WattUp's ecosystem allows it to work even if your device and the transmitter's manufacturer aren't the same.

"Untethered, wire-free charging — such as charging a fitness band even while wearing it — is exactly what consumers have been waiting for. We are now in a position to move our consumer electronics, \[the Internet-of-Things\] and smart home customers forward at an accelerated pace," Rizzone added.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-john-galeon-9b086925/>)  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/domgaleon>)