Firm aims to make
phone chargers a thing of the past

WIRELESS WONDER: Outside the entrance to Portsmouth Technopole is the QiConnect team, with the firm's managing director, Peter Turner, front left and Stephen Brownlie, the Technopole's senior centre manager, front right. They are displaying furniture which, through QiConnect, wirelessly charges smartphones, small tablets and other compatible electronic devices, easing the frustration for millions of us who experience the problem of batteries dying on the move because no plug-in power source is available. QiConnect is the latest occupier to take space at the Technopole, which supports 42 companies and organisations, as well as 26 virtual firms. Occupancy is 97%, a record high.
WIRELESS WONDER: Outside the entrance to Portsmouth Technopole is the QiConnect team, with the firm's managing director, Peter Turner, front left and Stephen Brownlie, the Technopole's senior centre manager, front right. They are displaying furniture which, through QiConnect, wirelessly charges smartphones, small tablets and other compatible electronic devices, easing the frustration for millions of us who experience the problem of batteries dying on the move because no plug-in power source is available. QiConnect is the latest occupier to take space at the Technopole, which supports 42 companies and organisations, as well as 26 virtual firms. Occupancy is 97%, a record high.
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A PORTSMOUTH firm is charging ahead in making sure people’s phones don’t run out of juice.

Portsmouth-based QiConnect is developing ways of charging mobile phones. One is an embedded charger, which can be built into furniture, and the other is a wireless system which allows people to charge mobile phones while out and about.

After five years of industry research and development, the embedded system is being offered in shopping centres, airports, hospitals, universities, bars, cafes and offices. It can be used anywhere where the product can be installed.

Founded by technology entrepreneur Peter Turner, QiConnect is the latest company to sign up to space at Portsmouth Technopole, off the M275.

Managing director Mr Turner said: ‘It’s somewhat ironic that, despite our digital age, there is no everywhere battery-charging infrastructure in the UK for mobile devices.

‘That will change, much to the relief of millions of us who are regularly used to our mobiles dying while out and about.

‘We exhibited at a stand in the Midlands the other month and by mid-afternoon we were inundated with relieved delegates powering up their drained smartphones on our embedded chargers in office furniture and portable charging pads.

‘What we offer opened their eyes, and that day alone generated 80 business leads. Scores of businesses and organisations are in talks with us about our wireless charging.’

The product works when the charger detects a mobile device through magnetic induction. The mobile device itself will also show that it is accepting a charge through its standard on-screen indicator. When the device is removed, charging automatically stops.

And the firm also has wireless chargers and receivers for mobile phones and devices, including various receivers and covers for mobile phones which enable wireless charging.

Mr Turner added: ‘Our business is taking off now and we’re in the right place at Portsmouth Technopole.’