PowerPuck: The IDEAL Solution to Travelers’ Charging Woes
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APEX Insight: IDEAL Industries’ PowerPuck system ensures travelers’ devices are charged so they can focus on recharging their proverbial batteries.
As digital entertainment and real-time mobile updates climb up passengers’ list of priorities, in some cases even surpassing legroom, keeping device batteries charged when in transit is critical. A full charge reduces travelers’ anxiety, enabling them to stay informed, remain connected to work and loved ones and engage more closely with their travel service provider throughout the journey.
At IATA World Passenger Symposium in Barcelona last week, APEX Media visited IDEAL Industries’ stand, where the company was displaying an innovative new device charging system that’s being marketed to operators of airports, hotels, eateries and other high-traffic places where people tend to dwell, and need a charge.
According to IDEAL Industries, the PowerPuck system is designed to bring power to people simply, safely and effectively. Touted as being safer to install and operate than power receptacles or other power solutions on the market, the PowerPuck system includes a safe-to-touch, low-voltage DC power rail that can be easily mounted on walls, windows and furniture in public areas. The user, or passenger, simply purchases a compact and inexpensive magnetic PowerPuck unit with USB (Type-A or Type-C) connectivity to charge devices from the rail.
The PowerPuck System can get wet without shorting and can fully charge a mobile phone in 30-60 minutes, depending on the device. As many as 17 users can charge from a single installation at once.
“[PowerPuck is] under consideration by several global air carriers and by airframe manufacturers and their seating suppliers.” – Nick Shkordoff, IDEAL Industries
So far, industry reaction to this concept has been positive.
“We’re still in the pre-market development and strategic seeding phase. The system has been installed in both public spaces and guest rooms of the Epicurean Hotel in Tampa, one of the luxe lifestyle hotels in Marriot’s Autograph Collection,” said Nick Shkordoff, group VP and general manager at IDEAL Industries. “PowerPuck is currently under advanced review at several international airports in Europe, the Middle East and the US. The system is also under consideration by several global air carriers and by airframe manufacturers and their seating suppliers.”
The system presents an interesting retail proposition for airport operators and airlines (assuming certification is ultimately granted), as the pucks themselves can be sold on board, in airport shops, or even in vending machines – and they can be branded, too.