SOLIDWORKS Entrepreneur: WiBotic, Getting the Most out of Your Robot’s Battery

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WiBotic has commercialized technology developed at The University of Washington to deliver wireless power and battery intelligence solutions for autonomous robots. These fully autonomous robots are able to navigate and “think” for themselves; but, there is a problem.  Their batteries do not last very long and recharging stations with physical contacts wear out over time. WiBotic has developed a solution to wirelessly recharge these robots instead.

What is WiBotic?

The system utilizes proprietary “adaptive resonant” technology to charge aerial, mobile and aquatic robotics. Their flexible system is able to charge a wide range of battery chemistry. This means that different voltages and charging speeds can be configured in software for different types and sizes of robots.  The batteries are always properly charged for maximum run/flight time and the system enhances overall battery lifespan.

WiBotic works with companies of all sizes – including start-ups and well established robotics companies. While they are under Non-Disclosure Agreements with most clients, WiBotic was able to confirm that they have customers using their technology to manage entire fleets of robotic devices. 

The company has been able to utilize the SOLIDWORKS Entrepreneurship Program, and uses SOLIDWORKS for mechanical enclosure design, custom mounting solutions, injection molded parts, sheet metal assemblies, and 3D printed parts.

WiBotic’s team

I had a chance to chat with the VP of Business Development, Matt Carlson, about his experience with WiBotic. “WiBotic is a great company to work for. It combines people with a wide range of experiences and skillsets – including electrical and mechanical engineering, software/firmware development, project management, and business development/marketing. While many of our team members are graduates of The University of Washington, we have new hires from across the country. Our engineers learned to work with SOLIDWORKS while attending The University of Washington, though, which made it easy for us to continue using it.”

WiBotic Development Kit

WiBotic is currently located in office/lab space associated with CoMotion, The University of Washington’s technology transfer and tech startup incubator program. They have already received coverage from notable news outlets like Fortune Magazine and ComputerWorld. The company has also attended several robotics conferences showcasing their wireless power system.

Thank you to Matt Carson and WiBotic for being SOLIDWORKS Entrepreneurs and sharing with our community.

Isabelle Smith

Education and Early Engagement Intern at SOLIDWORKS at Dassault Systems SOLIDWORKS
Isabelle Smith is the Education and Early Engagement Intern for SOLIDWORKS. Focused on helping Startups and Entrepreneurs reach their highest potential, Isabelle strives to continually increase her knowledge on the Startup world. She has worked with Entrepreneurs at numerous startup events, competitions, workshops and accelerators. Isabelle looks forward to continuing her career with startups world wide.