Our Technology
The UTS (under the surface) Story
Our development started in 2019 to improve the poor performance and user experience of invisible wireless chargers in the market.
Kew Labs embarked on a total redesign of the long distance wireless charger leading to our breakthrough development of the Intelligent Power Communication™ (IPC) System (Patent No 10,862,719). IPC solved the poor charging performance of the past by significantly improving how phones and chargers communicate when distances are increased beyond 5mm. The end result was the the UTS-1 invisible wireless charger of 2021 and UTS-2 of 2024.
The Intelligent Power Communication™ (IPC) Story
The Problem
- Long distance or hidden Qi wireless chargers were using Qi chargers not designed for the additional challenges of charging devices over thicker distances.
- High power without a method to communicate and regulate charging requirements with the devices over larger ranges (>5mm) quickly turns into phone heating.
- Excess phone heating switches off all charging or initiates slow charge safety protocols.
- Without means of communicating ‘stop’ signals back to the charger, the phone continues to receive power which can damage batteries or components over long periods of exposure.
The Solution
- Kew Labs worked to improve the communication between phone and charger when the distances increased to ensure that correct charging protocols were being shared and the phone did not overheat.
- The technology was patented as the Intelligent Power Communication system: the first long distance Qi charging communication system and was applied along with a propriety hardware design into our first product release – the UTS-1 Invisible Wireless Charger.
- Launching in late 2020 – the UTS-1 won a CES innovation award of 2021 and was named WIRED magazines best invisible wireless charger 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024!
- UTS-1 became the first wireless charger tested and approved by over 11 world leading surface brands including Cosentino, Neolith, Cambria, Daltile and many more
The Evolution
- Building on the success of UTS-1 in the construction, design and surface industries, we began to improve our design and performance for a newer generation charger.
- Building on industry feedback and partnerships Kew Labs launch the successor UTS-2 invisible wireless charger at KBIS 2024 featuring a new round design and UBS-C power.
- UTS-2 launched in the summer of 2024 worldwide with new praetorships and distribution
The Future
- Kew Labs Korean design team continues to work in wireless charging design in medical and now the automotive space applying new high powered wireless charging over a distance.
- As wireless charging adoption increases Kew Labs is set to cement a position as the best invisible wireless charger that you’ll never see.
Hard Surfaces Seminar
Our Product Manager Rupert Han explains the Kew Labs technology story and our Intelligent Power Communication™ (IPC) to a seminar at Hard Surfaces 2023, focusing on how IPC solves the challenges of charging through solid surfaces like stone to create a game changing technology for the surface industry.
Where do our chargers go?
Kew Labs works with a range of industries to bring invisible wireless charging technology to anywhere you put your phone.
