Swedish furniture manufacturer IKEA recently opened a new innovation lab in Copenhagen’s hip meatpacking district. (Photo : Reuters/Neil Hall)
Technology has definitely advanced, and along with the introduction of state-of-the-art smartphones and other techy gadgets in the market comes the launch of giant furniture retailer IKEA's latest addition: furniture with built-in wireless chargers. With this new product line, people will never have to worry about losing their chargers or sorting loads of wires for different devices at home.
IKEA will introduce the new Home Smart Range, which initially includes tables, lamps, and desks, in North America and Europe in April, Time reports. Global distribution will follow through in the months to come.
According to corporate manager Jeanette Skjelmose,"Through research and home visits, we know that people hate cable mess.They worry about not finding the charger and running out of power." She also added that their new innovative solutions, will "make life at home simpler."
Designed by the Wireless Power Consortium, the wireless charging innovation functions through an energy induction transfer and then the furniture will have to be connected to a power source. The company has used the wireless charging standard Qi Wireless, making their product compatible with Google Nexus, Samsung Galaxy, and a few other makes and models.
Furniture with built-in charging stations will cost an extra €20. An add-on kit will also be launched, allowing people to incorporate wireless charging to their existing furniture pieces. According to The Wall Street Journal, the separate kit will cost around about €30 ($33.60) extra.
In line with the green goal, environmentalists hope that it should be a priority for companies like IKEA introducing innovative products into the market to consider recycling into their work. Julian Kirby of Friends of the Earth says furniture with wireless charging facilities should have a design that is "easy to disassemble for upgrade, repair, reuse, or recycle."
