UBeam uses sound to wirelessly charge phones on stage, confounds critics
More companies are showing interest in wireless charging and the pace of development and investment in the sector is accelerating, but this is one wireless charging technology that the experts say shouldn't work, but it does.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2018) 'UBeam uses sound to wirelessly charge phones on stage, confounds critics', 311 Institute, 21 January. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/ubeam-uses-sound-to-wirelessly-charge-phones-on-stage-confounds-critics/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Unlike Energous, a company that a few weeks ago was given the first “wireless charging at a distance” license from the FCC, and who recently showed off their new Radio Frequency (RF) wireless power charging technology, embedded into a set of smart underwear called Skiin, from Myant, uBeam is a bit of a mystery in Silicon Valley. The wireless charging company claims to have developed a way to charge electronic devices wirelessly using sound waves, ultrasound waves, like the same ones we're using to create tractor beams and next generation 3D printers, to be more precise, for truly cordless charging regardless of what surface your smartphone is touching, or where it is, but so far the company has been criticised for avoiding detailed discussions and demonstrations of its technology.
This week though that all changed when at the UpFront Summit in California the company showed its tech off in front of an audience. The demonstration was supposed to be “off the record,” which is a strange thing to tell a crowd of people with video cameras in their pockets, and as you might suspect, various videos of the demo, like the one below, are now doing the rounds.
In the video, you can clearly see uBeam CEO Meredith Perry holding what appears to be an Android phone near some type of device and waiting momentarily before a charging symbol appears on the display. Of course, the goal is to shrink down that large box into a device consumers could purchase and keep in their homes.
uBeam’s ultimate goal is to create a device resembling a small satellite dish shaped charger, but, unlike Energous who appear to be on a tear at the moment, that may still be a while off. There are still a ton of other technical questions, too, such as how the company can overcome the limits of physics to create a product that works consistently time and time again as designed. Still, it’s a promising first suggestion that uBeam’s foundational concept is actually sound, so as the wireless charging space starts to heat up uBeam, and their possible-impossible ultrasound wireless charging technology might be one to watch.
What this means for your organisation
A claim moves into public view.
uBeam had been criticised for avoiding detailed talks and demonstrations. At the UpFront Summit it showed its tech to an audience. A charging symbol appeared on a phone held near a device. That is a first sign the core idea may be sound.
Real hurdles still remain.
The demo used a large box. The goal is a small, dish-shaped charger for the home, and that may be a while off. The company must still show it can beat the limits of physics and work every time. Leaders should treat one demo as a prompt to ask questions, not as proof.
Wireless power is gaining pace.
Interest and investment in wireless charging are speeding up, and rivals are using radio frequency methods. Wireless energy is rated as a technology to watch, with wide use expected around 2039. Tractor beams, which use sound or other forces from a distance, sit at an earlier stage.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our products or sites would change if charging needed no cable?
- What evidence would convince us that ultrasound charging works every time?
- Who in our team tracks wireless power and reviews it each quarter?
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?
More companies are showing interest in wireless charging and the pace of development and investment in the sector is accelerating, but this is one wireless charging technology that the experts say shouldn't work, but it does.
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 program, 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.
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Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 21 January 2018. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2018). UBeam uses sound to wirelessly charge phones on stage, confounds critics. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/ubeam-uses-sound-to-wirelessly-charge-phones-on-stage-confounds-critics/
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