What Is the Qi Standard in Automotive?
The Qi standard is an open interface standard for wireless power transfer using inductive charging over short distances, initially up to 4 cm. Developed in 2010 by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), Qi enables devices to be charged without physical connectors.
As the Qi (pronounced “chee”) standard has evolved, significant updates have improved its capabilities. In 2023, the WPC introduced Qi v2.0 (also known simply as Qi2), which incorporates Apple’s MagSafe technology to charge mobile devices more efficiently. This advancement has led to broader adoption of the standard across a variety of products, including Android smartphones.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2025, the WPC announced that more Android devices would adopt Qi2, which signals a move toward a unified approach to wireless charging technology. Due to Qi2's expected widespread adoption, the automotive industry is rapidly embracing it for user convenience.
How Qi wireless charging works
Qi wireless charging operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction between two planar coils: a transmitter coil in the charging base station and a receiver coil in the mobile device. When the device is placed on the charging pad, the transmitter coil generates an oscillating magnetic field, inducing an alternating current in the receiver coil. This current is then converted to direct current, which charges the device’s battery. The efficiency of power transfer is optimized by the close alignment of the coils.
The Qi standard relies on electromagnetic induction.
Benefits of Qi integration in vehicles
Integrating Qi wireless charging in vehicles offers several advantages.
- Convenience: Drivers and passengers can charge their mobile devices by simply placing them on a designated charging pad, without needing cables.
- Safety: Reducing cable clutter minimizes distractions and potential hazards within the vehicle cabin.
- Compatibility: As a universal standard, Qi ensures that a wide range of devices from various manufacturers can be charged wirelessly.
- Access: , supported by Qi, enables mobile devices to control access to vehicles, including limiting access or unlocking only the vehicle’s trunk.
Qi2 and the Magnetic Power Profile
Earlier versions of the Qi standard faced challenges in terms of charging efficiency due to misalignment between the transmitter and receiver coils. Since traditional Qi chargers relied solely on inductive charging without any alignment assistance, even slight variations in device placement could reduce power-transfer efficiency, slow charging speeds, and generate excess heat. This led to inconsistent user experiences, especially in automotive settings, where vibrations and movement could cause devices to shift on charging pads.
In 2020, Apple addressed such limitations with the introduction of its MagSafe wireless charging system, which uses magnetic alignment to precisely position the device on the charging surface and align the coils. This improved efficiency, reduced energy loss and enabled faster, more reliable wireless charging when compared with charging systems without the magnetic alignment.
The WPC integrated MagSafe’s magnetic alignment capabilities into the Qi2 standard to create its Magnetic Power Profile technology, which delivers an efficient, consistent wireless charging experience across manufacturers. This advancement has helped make Qi charging more viable in automotive applications, where stability and efficiency are critical.Advancements in automotive
The Qi2 standard is expected to achieve widespread adoption in the automotive industry, with the aims of making wireless charging more convenient for users and adapting to evolving consumer demands. 麻豆直播has been a member of the WPC since its inception and is contributing to wireless charging technology advancements. Our ongoing development and integration of Qi2 interfaces into our products will help deliver a seamless and efficient device-charging experience for consumers.