Bloomberg News reports that General Motors will start offering wireless charging for smartphones in some vehicles next year, according to Ran Poliakine, chief executive officer (CEO) of Powermat Technologies Ltd.
Starting in 2014, drivers of some 2014 GM models will be able to place mobile devices onto a Powermat surface inside the car to draw electricity. Phones must be capable of recharging via built-in technology, or use a case designed for the purpose, according to the publication.
GM is an investor in Powermat and it would be the first carmaker to build the technology into its models, Poliakine said.
GM is “racing with Toyota Motor Corp. and Chrysler Group LLC, which have also indicated they will include the feature in some 2014 models. Global shipments of wirelessly charging devices are projected to rise to almost 100 million by 2015 from 5 million units last year, according to IHS.”
Source: Bloomberg News via The Detroit News
