Induction charging capabilities are transforming the way small businesses, restaurants, builders, and homeowners look at integrated technology. Leading the charge is FreePower, the wireless charging pioneer, who debuted its latest solution this week: FreePower for Countertop. This state-of-the-art technology can turn any surface into a charging station, and while it's already used in commercial spaces, it's making its way into residential kitchen countertops and other areas, too. Smart homes—and smart kitchens—are a leading trend in home improvement, after all.
“With highly visible projects in the automotive and consumer electronics verticals, we were getting requests from designers and builders about embedding our technology into countertops and table tops, as well as retail and hospitality spaces,” said Jake Slatnick, CEO and founder of FreePower. “We knew it was possible, but also that it would take some work. Seamlessly embedding technology into stone isn’t something consumers or fabricators could do on their own; it required us to develop brand-new tooling processes perfected over a long series of iterations. We can’t wait to work with the design community to bring this elegant technology to market.”
So, how does it work?
FreePower for Countertop delivers uninterrupted inductive charging to solid surface materials, such as those commonly installed in kitchens and bathrooms. The system is embedded into the counter surface during fabrication, much like how a fabricator also cuts holes for sinks and accessories before installation. By embedding the technology just beneath the surface of the countertop, it puts functional power at people’s fingertips in high-use spaces. You can tell where it's located in the countertop because the small charging zone is illuminated by a glowing proprietary halo.
Unlike some other integrated countertop elements, you'd never know it was there:
- no ridges to cause a spill
- no bumps to inhibit use of the counter
- no crevices to fill with grime
The halo indicates the location of the effective charging zone and is controlled by an app where users can customize the colors, from subtle white to multicolor "party mode.” Additionally, the halo can be dimmed completely, then reactivated with a stealthy feature called “Wave to Wake” where users can activate the induction charging with the simple wave a smartphone while it's in the charging range.
Which countertop surfaces work best?
Charging in countertops is a dream for many homeowners, and after a long time waiting, it's exciting to see it in actuality. Global surfacing leader Cosentino will now will incorporate FreePower technology into its popular Silestone and Dekton surfaces. "Our vision for this partnership is to bring free-position wireless charging to all surfaces, from homes to offices, hotels, restaurants, and everything in between,” said Jake Slatnick, Founder and CEO of FreePower. “Cosentino has long been at the forefront of innovation in the surface industry, and we’re thrilled to work with them to scale this pioneering product.”
If you're considering a kitchen or bathroom renovation, keep in mind that the product can be embedded into many different materials, including engineered stone, natural stone, and wood. That said, translucent quartz is also recommended for its durability, and to ensure the best visibility for the illuminated halo.
Will FreePower charge any devices?
Yes, the charger is compatible with any Qi-enabled device, including those from Apple, Samsung and Google. Most manufacturers already have an eye to wireless charging station functionality, making it unlikely that any of these tech giants will jump off the smart charging bandwagon anytime soon.
Can it be installed in standalone furniture, too?
Yes! If you want to incorporate this technology into other convenient areas—such as your bedside table, living room coffee table, or dining table—the process is similar to integrating it into stone. All you need is a power outlet nearby.
