Aira Secures Investment for In-Vehicle Wireless Charging

Aira, a company pioneering advancements in wireless power transfer, may soon be extending its reach into the automotive sector. The wireless power innovator recently announced a strategic investment partnership with Motherson, a leading Tier 1 global supplier of automotive components.

Aira’s technology enables the creation of more versatile wireless chargers. Unlike conventional wireless chargers that demand precise device placement, Aira’s system permits users to position their devices anywhere on the charging surface. This is the underlying technology powering Nomad’s Base Station Pro and represents the realization of the capabilities originally envisioned for Apple’s discontinued AirPower charging station.

Jake Slatnick, Aira’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Motherson stands as a prominent and innovative supplier to the automotive world, and we are united by a shared objective: to improve the wireless charging experience and overall value within vehicles.” He continued, “Motherson’s established expertise and extensive network will significantly accelerate our progress in delivering validated and certified wireless charging modules for automobiles globally.”

This collaboration will see Motherson and Aira jointly develop, produce, and distribute automotive-grade charging modules. Currently, it remains unknown which vehicle manufacturers have committed to incorporating these modules into their vehicles.

Aira’s system represents a significant improvement over the charging pads currently utilized in many vehicles. Similar to their counterparts for desktop use, existing in-car pads necessitate precise device positioning. Maintaining this position can be challenging while the vehicle is in motion, leading some manufacturers to incorporate clips into their designs to secure the phone. Aira’s technology would facilitate a larger charging area and allow for more flexible device placement, making it particularly well-suited for automotive applications.

Edward Saenz de Viteri, Global Director of Business Development at Motherson Innovations, explained, “Our primary focus is to identify, support, and implement the most advanced technology solutions for global automakers and Tier 1 suppliers.” He added, “We are confident that FreePower represents the leading Qi-based solution for wireless charging within vehicles. Having already proven successful in consumer electronics, its advantages for automotive applications are even more substantial. We anticipate establishing Aira’s free-position technology as the industry standard for in-vehicle wireless charging.”

The financial details of this agreement have not been publicly revealed.