Los Gatos-based Questwise Ventures has launched a brand new gadget which goals to ship Web of Issues (IoT) connectivity with out the necessity to energy the transmitting facet — through the use of an energy-harvesting push-button able to driving its personal radio.
“The Vitality-Harvesting Wi-fi Transmitter & Receiver [is] a revolutionary resolution solely designed for the seamless transmission of a single sign,” Questwise says of its creation. “The transmitter cleverly captures vitality by way of a specifically designed button, optimized for vitality harvesting. This button incorporates an creative spring mechanism, effectively capturing and releasing vitality generated with every press. This vitality is seamlessly directed to a coil, which subsequently powers the transmitter.”
If that sounds acquainted, that is as a result of the know-how has already been in use for self-powered door chimes — the place the button, situated outdoors, could be put in with out energy and draw the vitality required to ship a set off to the bell field from the bodily act of pushing the button.
In Questwise’s model, the transmitter is linked to a receiver designed for connection to a microcontroller or different powered system. Upon receipt of a sign from the transmitter — which could be “a few meters away,” or round six and a half toes, Questwise says — the receiver can ship out a momentary pulse or a latching toggle sign, to be interpreted and acted upon as you see match.
The boards come as a matched pair, and may function to a variety of over six toes. (📷: Questwise Ventures)
“Utilizing a self-powered transmitter in conditions the place the receiver must be powered can supply distinct benefits, significantly in situations the place you need to reduce upkeep, improve reliability, or improve comfort,” the corporate says, suggesting it may discover a use for every thing from doorbells to emergency signaling.
The transmitter and receiver can be found as a matched pair on the Questwise Ventures Tindie retailer, priced at $21.30.