Bluetooth Without Battery

Technology hasn’t fully realized the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) due in large part to the fact that in order to connect billions of devices, each one needs a battery. But now, a new Bluetooth chip has been developed that’s paper thin and needs no batteries, because it harvests energy from the air.

The use of nanowatt computing enables the new chip to operate solely on power that is scavenged from ambient radio frequency (RF) energy. The chip and its associated antenna is the size of a postage stamp and can be printed on plastic or paper to be mounted on virtually anything. And by eliminating most of the components associated with typical Bluetooth, the cost is drastically reduced.

The device can be programmed with a vast array of information from tracking information to usage instructions. It can also be combined with sensors. For example, temperature sensors could detect when food has been exposed to too much heat or cold. Most importantly, unlimited power means unlimited lifespan, enabling real-time interconnectivity with thousands of items that could not previously be connected to the IoT.

The company plans a limited release of the new chip in 2019 before making it broadly available in 2020.