Powercast is set to disrupt the Japanese market through a strategic partnership with B&Plus, bringing its advanced RF wireless power solutions to one of the most competitive and technologically sophisticated markets worldwide. By eliminating battery dependency, this collaboration helps businesses reduce costs, minimize waste, and align with the country’s long-term sustainability goals.

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — As Japan accelerates its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, the world’s fifth-largest energy consumer faces mounting pressure to optimize efficiency and reduce reliance on traditional power sources, driving an unprecedented demand for innovative energy solutions. (1-2) Powercast and B&Plus are addressing this challenge with a strategic partnership, bringing their cutting-edge solutions to one of the most advanced and competitive markets. “Powercast has already demonstrated the impact of RF wireless power through global deployments, including North America, other countries in Asia and more. Our partnership with B&Plus marks the next step in expanding adoption in Japan, bringing our technology to even more industries seeking sustainable, battery-free solutions,” states Charles Greene, COO & CTO of Powercast Corporation.

Powercast is entering a high-stakes environment with the ambition of amplifying its role as a global player. By integrating its RF wireless power into B&Plus’s product designs, the collaboration offers a battery-free alternative that enhances efficiency and reduces reliance on traditional batteries—reshaping industrial and IoT applications with a more sustainable approach to energy consumption.

“Our partnership with B&Plus marks the next step in expanding adoption in Japan, bringing our technology to even more industries seeking sustainable, battery-free solutions” — Charles Greene, COO & CTO of Powercast Corporation

Redefining Smart Buildings with Wireless, Battery-Free Power Solutions
In a densely populated megacity like Tokyo, sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity. With over 37 million people living and working in a space where every square meter matters, efficient energy use is critical. (3)

Traditional batteries, often discarded after a short lifespan, contribute to electronic waste and require costly maintenance. The global lithium-ion battery industry is projected to generate up to 1.0 gigaton of CO₂ emissions annually within the next decade, highlighting the urgent need for smarter, more sustainable power solutions. (4)

By eliminating the need for disposable batteries, Powercast’s wireless power solutions offer a smarter, greener approach to energy consumption. Buildings across Tokyo can benefit from battery-free, wirelessly powered sensors that optimize energy use in real-time. “If nobody’s in a room, you can automatically turn the lights off, adjust the HVAC, and save kilowatts of energy—all with small, battery-free sensors,” points out Greene. “The problem has never been the sensors; it’s been the hassle of running around changing batteries. Wireless power solves that.”

As Japan advances toward its net-zero target, cutting-edge technologies like RF wireless power will play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable future.

Wireless Power Applications: Transforming IoT and Consumer Electronics
From Japan’s advanced industrial IoT ecosystems to its globally renowned consumer electronics sector, wireless power is reshaping energy distribution and consumption—aligning with the nation’s push for efficiency, sustainability, and technological leadership.

IoT: Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) is revolutionizing industrial automation by enabling seamless energy delivery to sensors and IoT devices in hard-to-reach locations. Unlike traditional wired or battery-powered solutions, it reduces maintenance costs, enhances system reliability, and improves operational efficiency. Additionally, WPT offers a more scalable and environmentally friendly alternative, minimizing electronic waste and supporting the next generation of smart, energy-efficient industrial systems. (5)
One of Powercast’s most notable integrations is in Samsung’s globally distributed TV remote controls, showcasing its ability to power mass-market consumer electronics with reliability and efficiency. Beyond remotes, Powercast’s technology powers keyboards, mice, smart home sensors, and even illuminated packaging—providing a sustainable alternative to traditional battery-powered devices. These capabilities open doors for further innovation, allowing manufacturers to reduce waste, lower costs, and extend product lifespans.

“Achieving net-zero emissions requires more than renewables—it demands smarter energy use. With B&Plus’s market expertise and Powercast’s wireless power technology, we’re eliminating unnecessary waste at the source and driving real change in industrial efficiency,” explains Greene.

Powering the Future: How Powercast and B&Plus Are Redefining Energy Efficiency
Powercast has cemented its position as a leader in wireless power solutions, driving innovation in sustainability, efficiency, and design across multiple industries. With 300+ patents and 25 million chips shipped, the company is among the few dedicated to RF wireless power, delivering solutions for a diverse range of applications—from industrial sensors and automotive systems to wearables and consumer electronics.

“With Japan’s strong commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, our partnership with B&Plus comes at the perfect time. We’re here to help businesses embrace wireless power and move toward a smarter, battery-free future,” highlights Greene.

While Powercast provides engineering and product development expertise, B&Plus leverages its deep market knowledge to drive adoption. To showcase the impact of wireless power firsthand, Powercast solutions are now available for demonstration at B&Plus’s showroom in Saitama, Japan (3-1-2 4F, Omiya-ku Miya-cho, Saitamashi,Saitama-ken, Japan 330-0802), where businesses can experience how this technology can transform their operations.

“We have historically developed products using short-range wireless power but have not had long-range RF wireless power until now thanks to our partnership with Powercast,” mentions Atsushi Kameda, CEO of B&Plus. “We chose Powercast’s RF technology because of their 20+ year track record, their RF transmitters and receivers are easy to integrate into systems, and their engineering and manufacturing expertise will help us solve wireless challenges for customers in Japan.”

About Powercast Corporation
Powercast Corporation, founded in 2003 and based in Pittsburgh, PA, is the go-to resource for wireless charging solutions, ranging from short to long distances and from microwatts to kilowatts, with the industry’s broadest technology portfolio backed by over 300 patents worldwide. We design, develop, and manufacture semiconductor chips as well as complete wirelessly powered products, enabling various levels of customer integration.
Powercast’s solutions include RF power-over-distance charging, high-performance inductive charging systems, and low-power sensors with up to 25-year battery life. With flexible magnetic resonance systems, Powercast positions itself as the industry’s most comprehensive source for wireless power technology. For more information, visit https://www.powercastco.com.

About B&Plus Corporation
B&PLUS JAPAN was launched as the Japanese member of the Balluff family of companies, headquartered in Germany as a manufacturer of sensors for major industries. With more than four decades of experience, the company has focused on wireless technology research and advancing mass production.
While many companies are new entrants to the development of wireless power supply technology, B&PLUS JAPAN has more than 40 years of experience in developing and manufacturing wireless power supply devices. Rising above the competition, the company provides wireless power transfer (WPT) technologies with a wide power range solutions and options for signal transmission. With many accomplishments in the WPT field, the company is proud to have the largest product lineup in the world, providing products to manufacturers of automobiles, machine tools, drones, robotics and many others.
https://www.b-plus-kk.jp/

References
1. L, Jennifer. “Japan Steps up as Carbon Credit Leader with $70 Billion Push for Net Zero.” Carbon Credits, 20 Jan. 2025, carboncredits.com/japan-steps-up-as-carbon-credit-leader-with-70-billion-push-for-net-zero/.
2. Statista. “Primary Energy Consumption Worldwide in 2023, by Country.” Statista, June 2022, statista.com/statistics/263455/primary-energy-consumption-of-selected-countries/.
3. The Times of India. “Most Populated Cities in the World 2024 Including Tokyo Delhi Mumbai and More – Times of India.” The Times of India, 2024, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/most-populated-cities-in-the-world-2024/featureshow/115054260.cms.
4. Kallitsis, Evangelos, et al. “Think Global Act Local: The Dependency of Global Lithium-Ion Battery Emissions on Production Location and Material Sources.” Journal of Cleaner Production, 1 Mar. 2024, pp. 141725–141725, doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141725.
5. Makhetha, Molefi J, et al. “Integration of Wireless Power Transfer and Low Power Wide Area Networks in IoT Applications—a Review.” Sensors International, vol. 5, no. 100284, 1 June 2024, pp. 100284–100284, doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2024.100284.

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Poised for explosive growth, the wireless power market is projected to reach US $52.4 billion by 2030. Leading this trend, Powercast Corporation—the industry’s only one-stop shop—will showcase its latest wirelessly-powered innovations at CES 2025 (Venetian Expo, booth #51716, January 7-10, Las Vegas). “We’re experiencing growing demand as both industrial and consumer markets prioritize sustainable and efficient power solutions,” explains Charles Greene, Ph.D., COO and CTO of Powercast, “which fuels our commitment to continuous innovation in wireless power technology.”

Experience the Future of Wireless Power with Powercast at CES 2025

Some of the wirelessly-powered products that Powercast will showcase include:

• Magnetic Resonance Over-the-Air Charging: Powercast is joining forces with Etherdyne Technologies (ETI) to advance wireless power transfer technology in 2025. In the sneak peek  CES, the companies will demonstrate the Wire-Free Power™ Minimalist Deskwhich is capable of providing up to 100 Watts of power to multiple devices simultaneously, all without wires. The desk demonstration features a computer monitor, laptop charging stand, desk lamp, and Qi-compatible phone charger, all powered wirelessly over the air using magnetic resonance technology. “We are excited to team with Powercast, combining our Wire-Free Power™ technology with Powercast’s vision of delivering ubiquitous wire-free products,” said Jeff Yen, Co-Founder and CEO of ETI. “ETI’s system creates a 3D magnetic energy field that covers spaces as small as a shoebox (0.1 cubic meters) or as large as an entire room (200 cubic meters), providing flexibility for manufacturers developing wire-free, battery-free devices.”
• R1 Smart Lacrosse Ball with Over-the-Air RF (Radio Frequency) Charging: The Smart Lacrosse Ball, the first product built on the SmartCore platform crafted by Get Reps, combines technology with the durability and performance of a traditional lacrosse ball. High-precision accelerometers and gyroscopes embedded in the SmartCore track shot speed, reps, release metrics, and ball movement, and the analytics data automatically updates via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to a phone app to provide actionable insights to players and coaches to enhance performance. “Powercast’s advanced RF wireless charging technology is a perfect power solution for the smart ball because it can charge the battery through a ball, keeping the design and balance, because it needs no external charging ports or coils,” said Joe Pompo, Co-Founder/CEO at Get Reps. “We are excited to implement this technology into other sports balls in 2025.”
• Wireless Smart Home Automation Sensor Technology with Over-the-Air RF Charging: A CES Innovation Awards Honoree in the Sustainability/Energy Category, this technology lets manufacturers create and perpetually power sustainable, untethered, battery-free wireless smart home automation sensors (window, door, temperature, light, humidity, water, and motion sensors), that will: 1) integrate into smart-home ecosystems (Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings) using Matter (connectivity standard) and Thread (wireless protocol), 2) install anywhere, 3) eliminate the need for expensive home wiring, and 4) eliminate batteries and their inconvenient, expensive maintenance. Powercast is demonstrating two sensors – water detection and window – at CES.

Powering a Battery-Free Future

Powercast empowers its partners to create sustainable, wirelessly-powered electronic devices—with or without rechargeable batteries—eliminating the inconvenience and expense of battery maintenance while significantly reducing the environmental impact of disposable batteries. This approach keeps batteries out of landfills and promotes a more sustainable future.

Other wirelessly-powered product demos displayed at CES will include:

• Battery-free tire monitoring sensors powered over the air using RF, which can even penetrate rubber, that can be sealed into tires and other products that are either hard to access or in motion.
• Provided via Powercast’s partnership with Powermat, powerful, contact-based SmartInductive^TM charging designed for power-hungry products such as drones, robots, power tools, micro-mobility and medical devices.
• RFID readers are already installed in the retail, warehousing and logistics industries – and now also used by the Digital Product Passport (DPP) initiative passed by the EU – and can serve as the RF power source for Powercast to power products instead of having to install RF transmitters.

“Our vision is a world where power is ubiquitous, sustainable, wire-free, and seamlessly accessible,” states Greene. “Our ultimate goal is true wireless freedom through an ecosystem of connected transmitters and receivers, both in the public and private domains, which provide people, products and machines the ability to move around freely with seamless access to power.”