WiBotic Blog

WiBotic Blog

Set It and Forget It: WiBotic and InDro Are Powering Truly Autonomous Robots

By: Isaiah Dominguez

Outdoor AGV operators are seeing incredible results thanks to the collaboration between WiBotic and InDro Robotics. InDro, the company behind the rugged Sentinel robot and enclosure, teamed up with WiBotic to integrate powerful wireless charging technology that’s transforming how autonomous vehicles operate.

A recent demo with Hydro Ottawa showcased just how game-changing this setup is. InDro’s Sentinel robot, equipped with WiBotic’s wireless charging system, worked independently in a remote substation for hours on end. The robot could autonomously dock, recharge, and jump right back into action without needing anyone to step in. This technology is taking autonomy to the next level by eliminating the need for constant human oversight—freeing up operators to focus on the bigger picture.

WiBotic’s wireless charging system makes it all possible with incredible efficiency—just one hour of charging delivers up to five hours of operation. This quick turnaround means less downtime and more time spent on the mission at hand, even in remote and tough environments.

By removing traditional mechanical charging interfaces like prongs and connectors, the system also cuts down on maintenance headaches. That reliability is huge for outdoor operations where access to human help is limited.

And the best part? The system’s autonomous docking feature, powered by AprilTags, ensures the robot aligns perfectly with the charger every time. The Sentinel can return to its charging station all on its own, making true autonomy a reality for outdoor AGVs.

Thanks to the partnership between WiBotic and InDro Robotics, operators now have a solution that’s reliable, efficient, and completely redefines what it means to be autonomous. As the Hydro Ottawa demo showed, this setup isn’t just innovative—it’s setting a new standard for what AGVs can do in the field.

Taking a Look at ‘Watts’ Ahead: 2025 Predictions for Robotics

By: Isaiah Dominguez

The robotics world in 2025 is shaping up to be less about sci-fi fantasies and more about rolling up its sleeves and getting things done. While humanoid robots stole the spotlight in 2024, the reality is they won’t be a scalable solution for a while. Instead, the real action is happening with autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), which are proving to be the workhorses that industries can count on.

As construction sites, warehouses, and manufacturing floors start to adopt automation and robotics, the challenge of keeping them up and running is emerging. Maintenance and downtime are quickly becoming the Achilles’ heel of large-scale automation. That’s where the unsung heroes of robotics, charging and infrastructure solutions, step in. Companies like WiBotic are tackling this head-on with smart systems that keep batteries charged and robots moving. The result? Less downtime, more productivity, and a much happier bottom line for businesses. It’s a practical, ROI-driven approach that’s turning skeptics into believers.

And then there’s AI, the current darling of tech. After its rapid ascension in the public eye, AI is back for an encore in 2025, showing off its talents in navigation, material handling, welding, and everything in between. The buzzword for the year? “AI as a Solution.” In robotics, this means smarter robots that aren’t just following orders but figuring out how to do their jobs better. If you aren’t anticipating building an in-house solution, eyeing partnerships with AI innovators may be essential to maintaining a competitive edge in the market.

Meanwhile, the public’s relationship with automation is shifting. Humanoid robots may have captured imaginations, but 2025 is the year of “less flash, more function.” People and businesses alike are realizing that practical robots, ones that make life easier and workflows smoother, are the real MVPs. Advances in domestic manufacturing and support are also making it easier than ever to scale up AMR and AGV deployments, making them less intimidating and more of a “where do I sign?” decision.

All of this is adding up to a big leap forward for robotics. By addressing the headaches of downtime and showing clear ROI, the industry is moving from futuristic dream to everyday reality. 2025 isn’t about chasing shiny new gadgets, it’s about building robots that show up, do the job, and keep everything running smoothly. Mastering the fundamentals now allows major breakthroughs to take place in the future!

 

Cutting the Cord: Partnering with Innovative Companies to Streamline Healthcare

By: Isaiah Dominguez

If you’ve ever watched a made-for-TV medical drama, you know there’s always a moment when characters must act at almost superhuman speeds to save lives. The ER becomes a well-orchestrated dance of rapid commands, beeping machinery, and mobilized bodies, as the team works in perfect harmony. McDreamy’s healthcare system may operate in an idealized world, but in reality, medical professionals must manage the daily chaos of a hospital while maintaining high standards of care. Doctors, nurses, and technicians are tasked with providing top-notch care even as they navigate technical frustrations—software glitches, tangled cords, dead batteries, and missing or malfunctioning equipment. So, how can we create a more streamlined medical experience that removes these obstacles?

Empowering Patient Care and Efficiency

In today’s fast-paced healthcare environment, smooth operations and reliability aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re necessities. Mobile workstations are central to providing immediate patient care and accessing real-time data. Yet, traditional plug-in charging solutions create inefficiencies, causing downtime, tangled cables, and shortened equipment lifespans.

This is where WiBotic’s wireless charging technology makes a difference. Medical carts equipped with WiBotic’s wireless power solutions can charge automatically, simply by being near a charging station—no more hunting for outlets or wrestling with power cords. This innovative approach ensures a fully charged cart is always ready, enabling healthcare teams to provide uninterrupted patient care.

How Wireless Charging Benefits Healthcare

  • Reliable Patient Care: Wireless charging keeps essential medical devices, such as code blue crash carts, always ready for emergencies. Healthcare teams can focus on delivering critical care without worrying about power disruptions.
  • Efficient Workflows: Medical staff can move carts freely throughout the hospital, never needing to stop for outlets. The system’s continuous charging capability means fewer interruptions and greater operational efficiency.

Additional Advantages of WiBotic’s Wireless Technology

  • Less Clutter: By eliminating extra power cords, wireless charging reduces trip hazards and keeps workspaces organized, making day-to-day tasks safer and simpler.
  • Extended Device Lifespan: Traditional plug-in charging causes wear and tear on ports, but wireless solutions bypass this issue, helping equipment last longer and reducing maintenance costs.
  • Greater Mobility: With wireless charging, medical carts aren’t tethered to wall outlets. This flexibility enhances the mobility of healthcare providers and improves ease of use.

A Vision for Healthcare Innovation

WiBotic is partnering with forward-thinking companies like TagCarts to drive innovation in healthcare. By integrating reliable wireless charging into medical equipment, these partnerships are setting new standards for medical mobility and equipment management.

As healthcare evolves, WiBotic’s mission is to empower medical professionals with technology that supports both patient care and operational efficiency. By reimagining how hospitals power essential devices, we can help alleviate technical barriers, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

Wireless Charging Safety Comparison: 100KHz vs 6.78MHz

WiBotic put two wireless battery charging systems to the test, specifically focusing on their safety when exposed to foreign metal objects. We compare a standard 100KHz wireless charging solution against the WiBotic 6.78MHz system, examining their heating behaviors with small and medium-sized metal objects like screws and scissors. Both systems were run at a comparable power output of 230W and were charging the same lithium ion polymer batteries. We ran each system for around 2 minutes and the results were suprising!

The 100KHz system caused smaller objects to reach temperatures of 60-70°C, and larger objects, like scissors, reached over 100°C—temperatures that could damage equipment or pose safety risks. Meanwhile, the WiBotic 6.78MHz system kept foreign objects near room temperature (20-30°C), ensuring safer charging conditions for robots in dynamic environments.

Another notable advantage of the WiBotic 6.78MHz system is its ability to maintain higher power transfer across a larger air gap, adding extra flexibility for robotics applications. Discover why this makes the WiBotic solution a robust, safe, and efficient option for charging autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and other industrial robotic fleets.


Interested in learning more about how WiBotic can provide a safer, more reliable, and more flexible option for wireless battery charging, feel free to reach out below:

Red Bull for Robots: Energizing Humanoids for Continuous Runtime

a humanoid robot skydiving while surrounded by free falling cans of red bull energy drink. A banner in the lower left that reads "Red Bull for Robots" and a WiBotic logo and wordmark on the lower right.

By: Ben Waters, PhD

Most people rely on caffeine to help overcome the morning grogginess or the afternoon energy dip, and humanoid robots face a similar challenge with energy limitations. With current operational runtimes averaging only 2-4 hours before needing a recharge, these robots encounter significant limitations. To perform continuous and repetitive tasks reliably, they require a solution that enables longer operational hours without frequent recharging. Simply adding a larger battery is impractical, as these machines already weigh approximately 150 pounds, and added weight would only increase their energy demand. Thus, an efficient, adaptable charging solution is essential.

There are three primary approaches to address this issue. The first, plug-in charging, involves connecting the robot to a standard power outlet. This method, while straightforward, requires human intervention, introducing potential delays and risks of human error, such as forgetting to plug the robot in or not tracking charge cycles. This also places unnecessary strain on the battery, potentially shortening its lifespan and resulting in more frequent replacements. As a result, plug-in charging is gradually being phased out in advanced humanoid robot applications.

 

The second option, contact-based charging platforms, offers a more autonomous approach. Robots can dock themselves forcharging without human involvement. However, these platforms come with maintenance demands, as they rely on exposedconductive points that require regular cleaning to ensure a stable connection. Misalignment issues can also prevent proper charging, often leaving robots inactive until they can be correctly repositioned. Dust, dirt, and other debris can further disrupt the process, necessitating frequent maintenance to retain effectiveness.

 

The third approach, inductive wireless charging, eliminates physical connectors by using induction coils to generate power. This method can be integrated directly into automated workflows, making it a more convenient solution. However, challenges remain, such as the risk of foreign objects near the coils heating up, which can pose safety hazards. Additionally, precise alignment is often necessary for effective charging, which can be challenging in dynamic environments.

 

Among these solutions, resonant wireless charging presents an advanced alternative. WiBotic’s charging technology, for example, operates at 6.78 MHz with dynamic tuning, enabling a reliable charge even when robots are not perfectly aligned with the charging coil. This approach reduces the need for human oversight and maintenance while eliminating risks associated with foreign object heating. WiBotic’s system is designed for durability, making it suitable for various settings, including indoor, outdoor, and even outer space applications. By enhancing battery life and improving operational efficiency, resonant charging maximizes the return on investment from each robot.

Ultimately, the ideal charging method depends on the specific needs of the application. For tasks requiring limited mobility, plug-in charging may suffice. However, for applications where continuous operation is crucial, resonant wireless charging provides a robust, efficient solution that minimizes downtime and maintenance needs. WiBotic’s technology offers the capability to extend a 2-4 hour runtime to near-continuous operation, supporting productivity and efficiency across diverse applications.


Ben Waters, CEO and Co-founder of WiBotic, leads a team of engineers, designers, and business developers focused on powering autonomous robots. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Physics from Columbia and Occidental.

WiBotic wireless charging for retail applications highlighted in new Electronics Design magazine article.

A new article by WiBotic published in Electronic Design Magazine today. It explores how robots and electrified carts are primed to transform retail environments in the next few years. The robotic revolution in this sector – supported through advances in wireless charging – is also a signal for engineers: If you want to supercharge your career, consider specializing in new generations of mobile robots and the charging systems that power them. Check it out at:

https://www.electronicdesign.com/markets/automation/article/55002147/electronic-design-the-robotics-revolution-in-retail

WiBotic Partner re:Charge-e Spotlighted for E-bike Charging Program

Congratulations to WiBotic partner re:Charge-e for recent coverage of their revolutionary new e-bike charging stations. As discussed in a recent Times Union article, cities have been quick to roll out EV charging stations but few have a viable charging infrastructure for rapidly growing fleets of shared e-bikes and scooters. Wireless power is the perfect technology for robust outdoor battery charging and WiBotic is proud to partner with market leaders in this space such as re:Charge-e!

https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/revolutionizing-transport-albany-startup-18670019.php

Powering the Wireless Warehouse

Electronic Design Magazine has published a new article by WiBotic extolling the benefits of wireless power for Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems! Click on the link or image below to learn more about the benefits WiBotic technology offers for these extremely high-speed/high-throughput fulfillment systems!

How to Build a Power Grid on the Moon

IEEE Spectrum just published an exciting article about efforts to energize the surface of the moon, including a discussion of WiBotic’s work with Astrobotic to power lunar rovers.

As NASA returns humans and robots to the lunar surface, reliable power delivery will be critical. WiBotic is leading the way in the development of wireless power technology that will survive extreme temperature swings, recover from severe solar radiation events, and stand up to the abrasive effects of lunar dust. More to come as our first space-qualified systems are released next year!

WiBotic and Interoperability

Cesareo Contreras of Robotics 24/7 recently interviewed WiBotic CEO, Ben Waters, for an article on the growing trend toward interoperability in the mobile robotics market. The article covers fleet management software that can coordinate the actions of multiple types of robots operating in the same facility. It goes on to discuss the need for interoperable charging systems that provide programmable voltage and current so different robots can share the same charging station infrastructure – a capability all WiBotic products provide! Check out the article here!

New Podcast featuring Ben Waters, WiBotic CEO

Check out the latest Power Systems Design podcast featuring WiBotic CEO, Ben Waters, as he describes features and benefits of the new PowerPad Pro. The conversation is led by Jason Lomberg, Editor, North America at PSD and covers the impetus behind the PowerPad Pro and how it’s helping fully automate UAV inspection and delivery operations.

https://www.powersystemsdesign.com/articles/psdcast-recharging-drones-that-are-permanently-deployed/39/20117