Exclusive Interview with GuRu CEO on 24GHz Wireless Power

GuRu Wireless, a company that originated from Caltech in Pasadena in 2017, has been making waves in the field of wireless power transfer. The company's name is derived from the combination of a generating unit (GU) and a receiving unit (RU), forming the core of its innovative technology. This unique approach enables the delivery of power ranging from a few watts to a couple of hundred watts across varying distances, from a few meters to over hundreds of meters.

The system developed by GuRu Wireless utilizes 24GHz phased arrays and proprietary smart lensing technology. Its architecture is designed in a tiled format, allowing for scalability to accommodate different use cases, form factors, and power/distance requirements. Narbeh Derhacobian, the CEO of the company, highlighted in an interview with eeNews Europe that wireless power transfer has traditionally been categorized into proximity power (less than one meter) and remote power (more than one meter).

While many companies have attempted to introduce wireless power solutions, most have focused on the convenience of cordless charging without considering the technical constraints, costs, and regulations. Derhacobian emphasized that wireless power transfer is inherently less efficient than traditional copper-based methods, citing the example of wireless smartphone charging, which has struggled to gain widespread adoption due to higher costs and inefficiencies.

GuRu Wireless aims to enhance power transfer efficiency through beam-forming techniques and identify applications where the benefits outweigh any inefficiencies. By leveraging the 24GHz millimeter wave technology, the company can achieve power transfer of up to 200W at distances of 100 meters. This high-frequency operation not only reduces antenna size but also opens up possibilities for two-way communication between the generating unit (GU) and receiving unit (RU).

One of the key advantages of GuRu's 24GHz wireless power transfer technology is its potential to revolutionize industries such as drone operations. Derhacobian highlighted the extended air-time achieved by untethered quadcopters powered by GuRu's system, showcasing the technology's ability to enable persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. In scenarios like humanitarian disasters, where continuous power is crucial, GuRu's wireless power solution offers unparalleled reliability and efficiency.