Wireless charging drones: A potential answer to indefinite flight

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• March 2, 2022

Insight summary

Wireless charging has transformed the way we power everyday items, and its future applications may extend to charging moving vehicles and drones. The ability to wirelessly charge drones, in particular, could significantly enhance their operational capabilities, allowing for longer flight times and greater range. This advancement could lead to a host of implications, including changes in air traffic control measures, the creation of new job roles, shifts in consumer behavior, and the need for new legislation to balance the benefits of drone technology with privacy concerns.

Wireless charging drone context

Wireless charging systems began to shift in the 2010s, when we saw a surge in the commercial use of wireless charging, particularly for consumer goods. Everyday items like smartphones and certain home appliances began to benefit from the convenience of wireless charging. Looking ahead, we can anticipate that the scope of this technology will continue to expand, potentially including the wireless charging of vehicles and drones, even while they are in motion.

Aerial drones, in particular, have a wide range of uses that span various sectors. They are employed for tasks ranging from delivering packages and conducting insurance inspections to performing surveillance and engaging in military operations. Most of the world's aerial drones relied on battery power. A common characteristic of these drone models is that they can only be recharged when they are landed and stationary, which can limit their operational efficiency and range.

However, 2019 studies have shown that it is possible to charge drones wirelessly. These early experiments have yielded promising results, with data showing that a mere eight minutes of wireless aerial charging can provide up to 30 minutes of flight time. This development could potentially redefine the operational capabilities of drones, allowing for longer flight times and greater range.

Disruptive impact

Wirelessly charging drones using an electromagnetic field involves transferring energy from a ring of cables to an in-flight drone. This energy transfer system is called a power cloud. The system is made up of a ground-based power station with wireframes positioned in a roughly circular shape. This power station, when switched on, generates an electromagnetic field in the air near the station. The wireless charging drones, equipped with special antennae, get charged by flying into the power cloud range.

Wirelessly charging drones may allow drones to operate 24/7 with minimal human intervention, enabling numerous potential use cases both commercially and in the military. The technology would also decrease the servicing costs of drones, further promoting their expanded production and use. By the 2040s, such tech may contribute to a significant increase in total drones in service, leading to the creation of new regulations and advancement of drone air traffic management agencies worldwide.

Presently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Ames Research Center is working towards unmanned aircraft systems traffic management to manage drone traffic in the air. The traffic system could be based on sharing the digital user's planned flight details for each drone.

Implications of wireless charging drones

Wider implications of wirelessly charging drones may include:

• Faster, aerial drone-enabled package deliveries, potentially over longer distances.


• Greater investment in autonomous aerial drones for commercial applications.


• An increased return on investment (ROI) for aerial drone purchases commercial and security companies due to less downtime and less human maintenance.


• More effective search and rescue operations as drones can operate 24/7 with fewer human handlers.


• More stringent air traffic control measures to prevent accidents and ensure safety in the skies.


• New roles in drone operation and maintenance, while also reducing demand for jobs in sectors like delivery services, where drones could take over some of the workload.


• Heightened concerns about privacy and surveillance, prompting governments to enact new legislation to protect citizens' rights while also harnessing the benefits of drone technology.


• A shift in consumer behavior, as people become more accustomed to drone deliveries and other drone services, which could in turn influence the strategies and business models of companies in various sectors.

Questions to consider

• Given the public’s current worries about wireless cellphone pollution, do you think the public would be comfortable with the widescale adoption of wireless charging—especially at the high voltages required to charge drones and vehicles?


• What other applications might wirelessly charging drones optimize? Will it increase the adoption of drones in industry?