(iTers News/Electronic Times)  - Samsung Electro-Mechanics said today it has joined hands with PowerbyProxi of New Zealand to beef up its technology prowess in the fast-growing wireless charging market.  

The Korean electronic parts and components manufacturer has signed a strategic alliance with PowerbyProxi to license the Auckland, New Zealand-based chip maker’s wireless charging receiver and transmitter chip technologies.

Under the terms of the strategic partnership, the two companies will also cooperate to jointly develop a future-proof wireless charging transceiver technology.

PowerbyProxi is a chip maker of inductance-based wireless charging transceiver chip maker. Especially, the company supplies miniaturized wireless charging receiver chip and 2D/3D transmitter, zeroing in on consumer electronics and industrial application market.

PowerbyProxi is a member of WPC, wireless power consortium that is well known as Qi brand. Qi is one of the three wireless charging technology standards available in the world, including A4WP (Alliance for Wireless Power) and PMA (Power Matters Alliance).

In a separate deal, Samsung Ventures Investment Corporation has invested US$4 million in PowerbyProxi,  joining the chip maker’s fund-raising program.

“Our research identified PowerbyProxi as a leader in wireless power technology based on its expertise, track record and comprehensive patent portfolio,” said Vice President, Hugh Kim, Director of Wireless Charging Development, Samsung Electro-Mechanics. 

“This is a major agreement for us in the consumer electronics market and enables us to leverage our wireless power technology and IP to deliver the best user experience to a mass audience,” said Fady Mishriki Co-Founder and EVP at PowerbyProxi. “Samsung Electro-Mechanics’ extensive due diligence clearly demonstrates that the strength of our IP and engineering capabilities solve many of the technical challenges limiting current versions of wireless power. Our partnership is further evidence that wireless power and charging are fast becoming mainstream,” said Mishriki. According to market research firm IMS Research, worldwide wireless charging market would grow at an annual average rate of 111% from US$380 million in 2013 to US$7.5 billion in 2017.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics wants to get a head-start in the potentially huge market. 

(Credit : By the courtesy of The Electronic TImes) 

(Photo & Image Credit; PowerbyProxi)