Passive Wi-Fi breakthrough could revolutionise the Internet of Things
Wi-Fi is ubiquitous, sensors are ubiquitous, but putting batteries in small sensors is impractical, now passive Wi-Fi that doesn't need an energy source will change all that
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2017) 'Passive Wi-Fi breakthrough could revolutionise the Internet of Things', 311 Institute, 27 September. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/passive-wi-fi-breakthrough-could-revolutionise-the-internet-of-things/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
For those that live in developed countries it has to be said that wireless internet, and Wi-Fi, is ubiquitous. But that said it consumes a lot of energy from our devices, which kills the battery life of our smartphones, smartwatches, and other smart gadgets, but now a group of researchers from the University of Washington have come up with a solution they call “Passive Wi-Fi.”
The invention helps devices use Wi-Fi with 10,000 times less power than we normally use when we wirelessly connect to the internet, and when compared to other wireless technologies, like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connections, it still uses 1,000 times less power.
The team who presented their paper at the 13th USENIX Symposium on Networked Systems Design and Implementation, says the invention is already making waves because using Wi-Fi without virtually any power could revamp the Internet of Things by eliminating the need for a battery. As a result, passive Wi-Fi connections could help make devices extremely cheap, and as smart smoke detectors, watches, lights, and other home accessories get connected to the internet, keeping them cheap, and in some cases small, is crucial.
One company, Jeeva Wireless, is already trying to bring “passive Wi-Fi” to the market, and so far the early tests are promising, and not only does this passive Wi-Fi use less energy, but it’s fast, too, a blistering 11 times faster than BLE.
“We wanted to see if we could achieve Wi-Fi transmissions using almost no power at all… that’s basically what Passive Wi-Fi delivers. We can get Wi-Fi for 10,000 times less power than the best thing that’s out there,” said co-author and assistant professor Shyam Gollakota.
As I’ve said many times before small developments can have great impacts, and I think this is another of those times, so next time you’re walking around town and pull up a list of Wi-Fi hotspots you might find yourself connecting to a coffee maker or a lamp post. I can see advertisers rubbing their hands with glee.
What this means for your organisation
Power was the limit on sensors.
The researchers say Passive Wi-Fi uses 10,000 times less power than normal Wi-Fi. It also uses 1,000 times less than Bluetooth Low Energy. Batteries are impractical in small sensors, so this removes a main barrier for the Internet of Things.
Cheap, small devices become possible.
With no battery needed, devices can be extremely cheap and, in some cases, small. Early tests also show speeds 11 times faster than BLE. Jeeva Wireless is already trying to bring the idea to market.
Treat it as early, but act on planning.
Our data rates the Internet of Things as Act now. Backscatter Energy Systems, which power small devices from radio waves such as Wi-Fi, sit at readiness level 5 and are marked Watch. Map where batteries limit your sensors today, and decide who tracks this work.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Where do batteries limit the sensors or devices we use today?
- Which products would change if connected devices were cheap and battery-free?
- Who owns the watch on Passive Wi-Fi and Jeeva Wireless?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Wi-Fi is ubiquitous, sensors are ubiquitous, but putting batteries in small sensors is impractical, now passive Wi-Fi that doesn't need an energy source will change all that
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Jeeva Wireless jeevawireless.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 27 September 2017. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2017). Passive Wi-Fi breakthrough could revolutionise the Internet of Things. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/passive-wi-fi-breakthrough-could-revolutionise-the-internet-of-things/
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