AAK's AA induction battery: recharges in a cup?

Well lookie here, induction charging has reared its electromagnetic head in the convenient form of a AA battery. That's right, instead of custom modules fitted to your battery powered devices a la the SplashPad, the AB-001 from AAK Corporation of Japan claims to provide contactless charging to any device sportin' them AAs. The NiMH battery is rated at 1.2-V and takes about 11 hours to fully charge over a lifetime of about 500 charges. Sounds great, right? Now the rub: instead of just setting your camera, toothbrush, penlight or any other AA-powered device near (or on) the charger for a top-up, it appears that you have to remove and then drop these induction AAs into the charger's cup, turning all that contactless charging into nothing more than novelty. While it's all a bit dubious at the moment, our Japanese bureau is on it and we'll holler back atcha later once they get the scoop.

[Via Engadget Japan]

Update: This just in from our Japanese bureau, you dont have to remove the battery(s) IF you can stuff the device into the small recharge pot, and if the device will not be affected by the presumably strong magnetic field.

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 20th 2006 9:06AM]

At least idiots can't install 'em in the charger backwards!

[Thinh @ Oct 20th 2006 10:55AM]

I remember a product very similar to this many many years ago (10+ years ago?) and you can stick any type of rechargable battery into it and it'll charge it using induction as all you did was just drop the batteries into the device.

It was an infomercial that was on all the time. I just can't remember what the name was....anyone?

[Chocolate Starfish @ Oct 20th 2006 9:33AM]

Wouldn't putting your whole cell phone, pda, etc in the cup induce a (probably unwanted) current in the circuitry?

[disciple83 @ Oct 20th 2006 9:48AM]

Starfish has it right. Putting anything requiring an electric charge to be maintained at a very regulated rate will want to stay the hell away from the charge cup. and that is where strider_mt2k mistakes the idiot's actual stupidity. They will think it would be fine to just leave their camera or non-rechargable bluetooth headset or whatever near the charger, forgetting the fact that the idea of the charger is to create an electromagnetic field, (like a microwave), around the battery to "nuke" it back to life, all the while frying the thing to be powered by the battery.

[J3ff @ Oct 20th 2006 10:33AM]

I think it's a good time for us to stop catering to the stupid. If they want to put their cell phone in there to see what happens... let them (not that any cell phone I've ever seen uses AA batteries). I have a AA powered toothbrush, and that thing would look real cool in my bathroom. Just cause there is a bunch of idiots out there that might try to recharge their pacemakers doesn't mean I should have to do without this fantastic device.

Stupidity breeds stupidity... stop the heinous cycle.

[Major Malfunction @ Oct 20th 2006 10:24AM]

Getting closer to Tesla's wireless power distribution, well, sort of. You have to plug it in, and you have to drop the item into a can [which I'm sure someone will try to drink out of if there is a bottom to it], but still... pretty close.

[HughJass @ Oct 20th 2006 10:56AM]

"if the device will not be affected by the presumably strong magnetic field."

That would be if the device will not be affected by the presumably strong *electromagnetic* field. A magnetic field alone isn't going to cause electrical problems with devices (unless you're using a hard drive based device, of course.)

[aide @ Oct 20th 2006 11:40AM]

know it all

[HughJass @ Oct 20th 2006 12:47PM]

n00b

[HughJass @ Oct 20th 2006 12:50PM]

Seriously though, there's a big difference between the two. If magnetic fields were to interfere with electrical devices, we'd have a big problem on our hands. How old are you, 12?

[Michael @ Oct 20th 2006 11:44AM]

I really don't think that this device is just a novelty, nor do I think that it's much less useful than a device like the SplashPad. In reality, being able to keep a cup on your desk, or anywhere else that might be handy, seems more convenient than working with a plug-in charger, even if it is only marginally more convenient.

[pvilleSE @ Oct 20th 2006 11:54AM]

I want one. Like you say I have a toothbrush that uses 2 AA and a shaver that uses 2 AA(if you're willing to open your shaver, most shavers appear to use AA) both are basic enough they would not get any damage from the field. And I think it would be convienent to just leave your NiMH batteries in it and just grab a set when you need one, if that wouldn't damage the batteries. Would be really convinient at work when people never recharge the batteries.

[CatchWithoutArms @ Oct 20th 2006 1:08PM]

current that is flowing through a wire creates a magnetic field hence electromagnetic radiation... both go hand in hand to be as vague as possible...kinda like the way your mommy walks you to school

[Devar @ Oct 20th 2006 2:03PM]

That is very cool. Just don't stick a finger with a ring on it in there. :-)

[HughJass @ Oct 21st 2006 12:43PM]

Thank you for the pointless explanation.

[Juaquin @ Oct 20th 2006 3:52PM]

I agree with Michael. It may not be ground-breaking, but it is certainly more convenient than a traditional charger. I'd use one if the price is reasonable.

[Zorque @ Oct 20th 2006 4:32PM]

In a way, this is kind of cool. Being able to send power "wirelessly" through the air is something I've always thought of as impossible. Of course this is different, but it's a first step, isn't it?

[CatchWithoutArms @ Oct 21st 2006 1:41PM]

thanks you for a meaningless and pointless post... and yes i realize how pointless this post also it

[stewart.haywood @ Oct 23rd 2006 9:15AM]

OK, but you cannot use any old AA cells, only the special ones. On the bright side, if you fill it with water, will it make tea?