Wireless energy harvesting is rapidly gaining traction in the Internet of Things (IoT) industry as companies look for alternatives to traditional batteries and wired power. While there are several ways to enable energy harvesting, Radio Frequency (RF) harvesting has emerged as a transformative method.
Among the key players in RF energy harvesting, Powercast, Wiliot, and Ossia have emerged with unique approaches. Each company has carved out a niche, targeting different applications and industries. This blog explores how these three firms compare in their RF-based power solutions and what sets them apart.
Table 1: Key Differences Between Powercast, Wiliot, and Ossia
|
Feature |
Powercast |
Wiliot |
Ossia |
|
Core Focus |
Wireless power-over-distance |
Asset tracking with smart labels |
Power-at-a-distance technology |
|
Business Model |
Sells RF transmitters & receivers to OEMs |
Sells IoT Pixel blueprints to label manufacturers |
Licenses Cota wireless technology to OEMs |
|
Technology |
Converts RF signals into power for IoT devices |
Uses RF energy harvesting for passive Bluetooth® smart labels |
Sends power to devices via RF beacon signals |
|
Primary Use Cases |
Consumer electronics, retail, industrial IoT, smart home |
Supply chain tracking, logistics, pharmaceutical monitoring |
Smart home, security cameras, smart buildings, automotive |
|
Competitive Edge |
High conversion efficiency (75%), direct integration with OEMs |
Eliminates the need for manual scanning, integrates with Bluetooth® ecosystems |
Continuous wireless power without human interference |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Source: ABI Research) |
|
|
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Powercast: Wireless Power for IoT Devices
Founded in 2003, Powercast specializes in RF Over-the-Air (OTA) energy harvesting and power-over-distance technology. Unlike some competitors, Powercast manufactures and sells both RF transmitters and receiver chips, allowing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate its solutions into their products.
Powercast’s Powerharvester technology supports short-to-long-range energy harvesting, enabling the charging of multiple devices simultaneously. Its transmitters automatically activate when charging is needed and stop when fully charged, optimizing power use. Moreover, Powercast claims its conversion efficiency exceeds 75%.
The company has expanded through strategic partnerships, collaborating with Kyocera to develop battery-free Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and with Nordic Semiconductor to integrate Matter-compatible RF energy harvesting sensors into smart home ecosystems. However, competition from Ossia and Energous means that Powercast must continue to prove the effectiveness of its RF conversion technology in key industries like consumer electronics, medical, retail, and industrial IoT.
Wiliot: Smart Tracking with RF-Powered Tags
Israel-based Wiliot takes a different approach than Powercast by using RF energy harvesting for asset tracking, rather than direct power transfer. Its IoT Pixel system consists of battery-free Bluetooth®-enabled smart labels that provide real-time inventory and supply chain tracking.
These IoT Pixels harvest RF energy from ambient signals and can be attached to pallets, parcels, or individual products. The tags transmit temperature, humidity, motion, and location data, offering valuable insights for industries like grocery, pharmaceuticals, and apparel. Unlike RFID or Near Field Communication (NFC), which require manual scanning, Wiliot’s Bluetooth®-enabled smart tags provide passive tracking, reducing human intervention.
Wiliot has also launched the "Works with Wiliot" program, partnering with digital product passport provider Avery Dennison, as well as SATO and Aruba, to scale adoption. However, Wiliot must expand beyond supply chain tracking and secure additional partnerships with OEMs in other IoT sectors to stay competitive.
Ossia: Licensing Wireless Power-at-a-Distance
Unlike Powercast and Wiliot, Ossia does not manufacture RF components. Instead, the Washington-based company licenses its Cota wireless technology to OEMs looking to integrate power-at-a-distance solutions.
Cota works similarly to Wi-Fi, but instead of transmitting data, it sends power. A Cota receiver embedded in a device sends a beacon signal to locate a Cota transmitter, which then returns power along the same path. This multi-path functionality enables continuous charging, even when devices are moving, while avoiding interference with people and pets.
Ossia has secured Federal Communications Commission (FCC), U.K., and global regulatory approval, easing concerns about RF harvesting safety. The company has gained early traction in commercial security cameras through partnerships with Archos and CoolR, integrating Cota into products for retail and smart building applications. However, Ossia’s main challenge is turning these collaborations into widespread adoption, as it competes with Powercast and Energous in the smart home, automotive, and industrial IoT spaces.
The Future of RF-Based Energy Harvesting
Powercast, Wiliot, and Ossia are each contributing to the advancement of RF energy harvesting, but their strategies differ. Powercast is leading in wireless power-over-distance solutions, Wiliot is transforming supply chain tracking with battery-free smart labels, and Ossia is pioneering long-range power transmission for connected devices.
As demand for battery-free and wireless power solutions grows, these companies must focus on scalability, regulatory approvals, and strategic partnerships to stay ahead. Whether through continuous device charging, automated asset tracking, or power-over-distance solutions, the future of IoT energy harvesting will be shaped by how well these firms overcome adoption challenges and expand their market reach.
For a closer look at the companies driving innovation in energy harvesting technologies, download the ABI Research presentation, Energy Harvesters for the IoT.
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