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.
posted Oct 20th 2006 8:43AM
At least idiots can't install 'em in the charger backwards!
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?
Wouldn't putting your whole cell phone, pda, etc in the cup induce a (probably unwanted) current in the circuitry?
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.
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.
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.
"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.)
know it all
n00b
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?
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.
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.
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
That is very cool. Just don't stick a finger with a ring on it in there. :-)
Thank you for the pointless explanation.
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.
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?
thanks you for a meaningless and pointless post... and yes i realize how pointless this post also it
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?