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My (limited) understanding is that they've demonstrated a level of wireless power transmission, but nothing approaching some of the early hype that had things like mobile phones recharging in people's pockets whilst they were in a coffee shop.

The controversy there isn't whether you can transfer wireless power or not, but whether you can transfer enough in an easy enough way to make a practical consumer product.

If you want (alot) more detail this is a good thread to read http://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/the-ubeam-faq/1175/




> mobile phones recharging in people's pockets whilst they were in a coffee shop.

While not using the same Qi-like charging mechanism, the physics has been proven: https://www.disneyresearch.com/publication/quasistatic-cavit...


Without commenting on the viability of the method in that link one way or another, I will point out that the physics is described are completely different than what uBeam has said they are working on.

uBeam has said they are wirelessly transmitting power via high frequency sound. This link describes a method that uses magnetic fields.




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