Everyone's favorite build-your-own furniture store IKEA has just announced a partnership to start integrating Qi charging for devices into some of its furniture. Starting in April 2015, IKEA will offer bedside tables, lamps and desks with Qi charging built in, meaning you won't need to drop any extra cables or charging bases to keep your phones topped up. Jeanette Skjelmose, Business Area Manager Lighting and Wireless Charging, had this to say:
"Through research and home visits, we know that people hate cable mess. They worry about not finding the charger and running out of power. Our new innovative solutions, which integrate wireless charging into home furnishings, will make life at home simpler"
In addition to a lineup of furniture, IKEA will also start offering its own line of standalone Qi chargers for those who want to add wireless charging to their lives without buying full sets of furniture. There will be a variety of nice-looking Qi charging pads (including wood ones), as well as an insert that you can drill a hole into a current desk or table to add.
While Qi charging has already become the go-to way to charge up devices for many, full integration into furniture could push that further into general adoption. IKEA says that the new lines of products with Qi inside will be available in Europe and North america first, with a global rollout coming later.
Press release:
New collection: wireless charging makes life at home more convenient
IKEA launches the first of a new design collection integrating wireless charging of mobile phones and reading tablets into beautiful and functional home furnishing. The new solutions, turning bedside tables, lamps and desks into charging spots, will be available in Europe and North America from April, 2015, followed by a global roll-out.
The IKEA Wireless charging collection is part of a long term commitment called Home Smart in which IKEA strives for new innovative solutions for a better life at home. When developing the Wireless Charging collection, new but available technology has been used to meet people's needs of outlets and chargers beyond the fixed ones in homes or work environments.
"Through research and home visits, we know that people hate cable mess. They worry about not finding the charger and running out of power. Our new innovative solutions, which integrate wireless charging into home furnishings, will make life at home simpler", says Jeanette Skjelmose, Business Area Manager Lighting and Wireless Charging.
The technology builds on collaboration with the global certification standard Qi, offering a third party certification for wireless charging products. The new collection, turning bedside tables, floor and table lamps as well as desks into charging spots, was designed by among others David Wahl.
"We have created smart wireless solutions so you don't need to see the cables anymore. Many products can be charged at the same time, but you still have a beautiful wireless home", explains David Wahl.
IKEA launches design collections and unique collaborations every year that embody a passion to make life at home better. IKEA will move from releasing 1-2 design collections per year to around 10 per year.
