uBeam Demos Ultrasound Wireless Power at D9, Targets Fall Launch

Phạm Quốc Thiện

The startup claims dynamic beam steering will bypass acoustic line-of-sight limits after proving an 8-volt power transfer across open air.

AI-assisted summary of uBeam.flv — original source. Check the original for full context.

Source published: 2011-06-01

Key ideas

At the D9 conference, uBeam publicly demonstrated an ultrasound-based wireless charging bench setup that beams electrical power through the air to an acoustic receiver. (0:03)
The prototype generated approximately 8 volts across a tabletop distance, surpassing the standard 5-volt threshold needed to charge USB devices and iPhones. (0:03)
Acoustic power transfer strictly depends on an unobstructed path, with physical barriers such as a hand instantly cutting voltage to zero. (0:03)
To bypass practical line-of-sight limitations in homes, uBeam announced plans for an automated tracking and steering system to follow roaming devices within a room. (1:32)
The company outlined an aggressive development schedule, projecting the launch of its first commercial consumer product by late fall 2011. (1:32)

Detailed notes

## Background This video was published on YouTube by user Phạm Quốc Thiện on June 1, 2011. The upload provides no video description or show notes.

## TL;DR At the D9 conference, Darren from Engadget receives a live demonstration of uBeam's ultrasound-based wireless power system. The presenter demonstrates an acoustic transmitter sending power across a tabletop gap to a receiver, showing an output of around 8 volts on a meter—surpassing the 5-volt threshold required to charge mobile devices. The demo reveals the physical limitations of the technology when a hand blocks the line of sight and cuts the current instantly. Addressing practical use, the demonstrator explains plans for automated transmitter-receiver tracking to mitigate line-of-sight obstacles, projecting an ambitious commercial release by fall 2011.

## Atmosphere & style The presentation carries the candid, unvarnished energy of an impromptu conference-floor demo, characterized by benchtop wiring, direct hands-on testing, and the casual admission of a dead phone battery. The interaction between Darren and the uBeam presenter feels collaborative and curious, pairing journalistic skepticism with startup enthusiasm. It conveys the optimistic, fast-paced spirit of early-2010s hardware innovation where ambitious technical claims meet unpolished physical prototypes.

## Bulletin - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) At the D9 conference, uBeam publicly demonstrated an ultrasound-based wireless charging bench setup that beams electrical power through the air to an acoustic receiver. - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) The prototype generated approximately 8 volts across a tabletop distance, surpassing the standard 5-volt threshold needed to charge USB devices and iPhones. - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) Acoustic power transfer strictly depends on an unobstructed path, with physical barriers such as a hand instantly cutting voltage to zero. - [01:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=92s) To bypass practical line-of-sight limitations in homes, uBeam announced plans for an automated tracking and steering system to follow roaming devices within a room. - [01:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=92s) The company outlined an aggressive development schedule, projecting the launch of its first commercial consumer product by late fall 2011.

## Key takeaways - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) uBeam showcased functional over-the-air wireless power transmission using high-frequency ultrasound at the D9 conference. - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) The system operates by converting electrical power into acoustic waves that travel through the air to a dedicated receiver module. - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) The bench setup produced roughly 8 volts across the gap, exceeding the 5 volts required for standard smartphone USB charging. - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) The connected iPhone did not actively take charge during the demo because of a faulty replacement battery installed earlier that morning. - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) Voltage delivery varied inversely with distance, climbing higher as the receiver moved closer to the ultrasound transmitter. - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) Acoustic power transmission requires an unbroken line of sight; obstructing the path with a hand instantly dropped the power readout to zero. - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) Power transfer restored immediately once the physical obstruction was removed from between the transmitter and receiver. - [01:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=92s) Future consumer iterations were planned to incorporate dynamic tracking to automatically aim the acoustic beam at devices moving around a room. - [01:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=92s) Dynamic beam steering was designed to make the system feel non-line-of-sight to the end consumer despite physical acoustic line-of-sight constraints. - [01:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=92s) uBeam expressed confidence in an aggressive commercial roadmap, projecting a first product release by the end of fall 2011.

## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) Demonstrating Ultrasound Wireless Power at D9

At the D9 conference, Darren from Engadget visits the uBeam booth for a live demonstration of the startup's ultrasound-based wireless charging technology. The demonstrator powers on the bench setup, pointing an ultrasound transmitter toward a receiver module connected to a voltage meter and an iPhone via a USB adapter. As the device activates, the meter immediately registers voltage transmitted wirelessly through the air. The presenter proves that power transfer relies on an uninterrupted acoustic beam by placing a hand directly between the units: the voltage instantly drops to zero, and it immediately restores when the path is cleared.

```mermaid flowchart LR accTitle: uBeam Acoustic Power Transfer Flow accDescr: Diagram showing power flowing from transmitter via ultrasound beam to receiver and USB device, interrupted by physical obstructions.

subgraph TX ["Transmitter Unit"] A["Ultrasound Transmitter"] end

subgraph RX ["Receiver Setup"] B["Acoustic Receiver"] C["Power Meter (~8V Generated)"] D["USB / Phone (5V Required)"] end

A -->|"Ultrasound beam (Line of Sight)"| B B --> C C --> D ```

While the demonstrator notes that the iPhone itself is not actively taking power because “the battery that I put in earlier this morning is isn't working right now,” the meter confirms that the acoustic transducer is outputting approximately 8 volts across the gap. Because standard USB devices and iPhones only require 5 volts to charge, the link is generating more than enough juice to power the phone. To illustrate the inverse relationship between distance and power transfer, the presenter slides the receiver closer to the transmitter, prompting the voltage readout to climb even higher before pulling it back to demonstrate consistent baseline delivery.

- The demonstration rig beams electrical power converted into high-frequency ultrasound through the air to an acoustic receiver. - Breaking the physical line of sight by placing a hand between the transmitter and receiver immediately halts the power stream. - The prototype produces roughly 8 volts across the displayed tabletop distance, comfortably exceeding the 5-volt threshold required for standard USB mobile charging.

---

[01:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=92s) Target Tracking and Product Release Timetable

Turning to consumer practicality, Darren asks about the strict line-of-sight requirement and whether future iterations will demand an unobstructed path between the wall and the device. The demonstrator clarifies that the underlying acoustic physics will technically always require a direct path, but uBeam intends to mask this constraint through an intelligent transmitter-receiver pairing and steering system. In a finished consumer setup, the base station will automatically track and target the receiver's location as a user moves naturally throughout a room. As the presenter explains, “so to the user it will effectively not be line of sight but it'll function as as line of sight.”

When pressed on commercial availability, the uBeam team expresses high confidence in their development roadmap. The presenter reveals an aggressive development schedule, stating, “expect to have our first product uh hopefully by the end of this fall,” before wrapping up the live hardware demonstration.

- Commercial hardware is planned to feature dynamic tracking between transmitter and receiver to continuously aim the beam at roaming devices within a room. - uBeam projected releasing its first consumer-ready ultrasound wireless charging product as early as the fall of 2011.

## Mentioned uBeam, D9 Conference, Darren, Engadget, iPhone, Phạm Quốc Thiện

[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI)

中文简报

uBeam在D9展示超声波无线供电技术，计划秋季推出产品在证实可通过空气传输8伏电能后，这家初创公司声称动态波束定向将克服声学视距限制。在D9大会上，来自Engadget的Darren观看了uBeam超声波无线供电系统的现场演示。演示者展示了一个声学发射器跨越桌面间隙向接收器传输电力，仪表显示输出约为8伏，超过了为移动设备充电所需的5伏阈值。当一只手阻挡视线传播路径并使电流瞬间中断时，该演示展现了这项技术的物理局限性。针对实际应用，演示者解释了通过自动发射器-接收器追踪来缓解视距障碍的计划，并提出了在2011年秋季实现商业化发布的宏大目标。在D9大会上，uBeam公开演示了一套超声波无线充电工作台装置，该装置可通过空气向声学接收器定向发射电能。 (0:03) 该原型设备在桌面距离内产生了大约8伏的电压，超过了为USB设备和iPhone充电所需的标准5伏阈值。 (0:03) 声波电能传输严格依赖于无遮挡的路径，手等物理屏障会瞬间将电压降至零。 (0:03) 为了克服家庭环境中的实际视距限制，uBeam宣布计划开发自动追踪与定向系统，以跟随房间内移动的设备。 (1:32) 该公司概述了激进的研发时间表，预计将于2011年深秋推出首款商用消费级产品。 (1:32)

Reading summary

At the D9 conference, startup uBeam demonstrated an acoustic energy transfer system that converts electrical power into high-frequency ultrasound, successfully delivering roughly 8 volts across a direct line of sight. Ultrasound Power Mechanics and Prototype Output (0:03) In a bench demonstration for Engadget, uBeam showcased an ultrasound transmitter directing an acoustic beam toward a receiver wired to a voltmeter and an iPhone via USB. The setup registered approximately 8 volts across the tabletop gap—comfortably exceeding the 5-volt requirement for standard mobile charging—with output rising when the receiver moved closer to the source. Power delivery depended entirely on an uninterrupted path; blocking the acoustic link with a hand instantly dropped the voltage to zero until the obstruction was removed. Although the energy transfer was demonstrated on the meter, the connected iPhone was not actively charging, which the demonstrator attributed to a faulty battery installed earlier that morning. Beam Tracking and Commercial Timeline (1:32) To address the physical limitation of line-of-sight acoustic transmission, uBeam outlined plans for an intelligent pairing and steering system in consumer models. The company claimed that base stations would automatically track and aim beams at roaming devices, giving users an experience that functions like non-line-of-sight charging despite underlying acoustic constraints. The presenter also projected an aggressive commercial timeline, expressing hope that uBeam would launch its first consumer product by the end of that fall. The demonstration confirmed that ultrasound can generate sufficient voltage for mobile devices across a tabletop, but the technology remained bound by strict line-of-sight requirements, leaving the practicality of future room-scale tracking systems unproven on the test bench.

精炼阅读摘要

在D9大会上，初创公司uBeam现场展示了利用高频超声波跨空间无线输电的原型系统；演示者展示了约8伏的电压输出，并宣称将通过动态目标追踪技术克服声波的视距限制，计划于2011年秋末推出商用产品。超声波输电机制与桌面测试 (0:03) 在现场原型演示中，uBeam发射端将电能转化为高频超声波，并通过空气投射至装有声学接收器的模块上，该模块外接电压表并通过USB适配器与一部iPhone连接。测量读数表明，该装置在桌面距离内能够产生约8伏的电压，高于标准USB设备和智能手机所需的5伏充电门槛；演示者缩短两端距离时，电压读数进一步攀升，展示了传输距离与接收功率之间的反比关系。不过，现场连接的iPhone并未实际充入电量，演示者解释称这是因为早前装入手机的电池发生故障。此外，实验清晰展示了声波输电对物理通路的敏感性：演示者用手阻断发射器与接收器之间的直线路径时，电压读数瞬间降至零，移开手部后电力传输即刻恢复。视距物理约束与动态追踪规划 (1:32) 针对超声波严格依赖直视路径（Line of Sight）的物理限制，演示者向Engadget说明，底层声学规律确实要求路径毫无遮挡，但uBeam计划在消费级硬件中引入智能配对与波束引导系统。按照团队的设计构想，未来的室内基站将能自动追踪移动中的接收端并实时校准波束方向，从而让用户在房间内活动时感知不到视距对准的束缚。在商业化落地日程上，uBeam团队给出了较为紧凑的时间表。演示者在现场表示，团队对研发进度抱有高度信心，预计首款消费级无线充电产品有望在2011年秋季末正式推出。该演示验证了利用超声波传输电能的物理可行性，但受阻即断的声学特性、依赖规划中的自动追踪系统以及现场终端电池故障未能实际受电的情况，表明其技术距离稳定可靠的商用体验仍存在待解的工程课题。

Detailed notes — zh

## Background 该视频由 YouTube 频道 Phạm Quốc Thiện 于 2011 年 6 月 1 日发布，页面未提供任何文字简介。视频实录了科技媒体 Engadget 记者 Darren Murph 在 D9 大会展台现场，实地见证并体验初创公司 uBeam 首次公开展示超声波无线充电原型机的全过程。 ## TL;DR 在 D9 大会现场，初创公司 uBeam 首次公开演示了利用高频声波隔空输送电能的技术原型。测试仪表显示系统在当前间距下可产生约 8 伏特电压，但电能传输极度依赖无遮挡的直线路径，用手掌阻断即可让读数瞬间归零，且因现场电池组件临时故障未能直接为 iPhone 点亮充电。演示者进一步解释称，未来量产设备将通过空间追踪与波束成形技术实现设备移动时的自适应定向充能，并乐观预期首款商用硬件将在 2011 年秋季末面世。 ## Atmosphere & style 整个演示洋溢着典型早期展会现场的极客探索氛围，充斥着嘈杂的环境音与纯粹的技术好奇心。面对临时硬件故障导致手机未能成功受电的小尴尬，演示者表现得坦率而自信，通过徒手遮挡和前后推拉设备的直观操作，将抽象的物理规律直截了当地展现在镜头前。记者的追问直切痛点，对话节奏轻快务实，既传递出见证潜在颠覆性技术初创阶段的兴奋与期待，也直观流露出原型机阶段不可避免的青涩与真实感。 ## Bulletin - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) 初创公司 uBeam 在 D9 大会向 Engadget 展示了首个超声波无线充电原型机，通过空气中的高频声波隔空传输电力。 - [00:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=44s) 原型机测试显示输出电压约为 8V，高于标准 USB 充电所需的 5V，且电量传输表现出随距离拉远而显著衰减的物理特性。 - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) 该技术目前极度依赖视线无遮挡（Line-of-sight）路径，用手掌遮挡波束会导致接收端电压瞬间归零。 - [00:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=44s) uBeam 规划在最终产品中加入发射端与接收端的动态追踪配对系统，并预计于 2011 年秋季末推出首款商业化硬件。 ## Key takeaways - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) Engadget 记者 Darren Murph 在 D9 大会现场探访 uBeam 展位，见证基于超声波的无线电力传输技术公开演示。 - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) 现场组装开启超声波发射器后，接收端相连的电表立即显示测得接收电压，证实声波能量成功转换为电能。 - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) 演示人员用手掌横切阻挡发射端与接收端之间，电表读数瞬间归零，直观验证了该技术对直线视线（Line of sight）的强依赖。 - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) 移开手掌遮挡后电表电压立即恢复，证明当前原型机缺乏绕射能力，极易被人体等物理障碍物截断。 - [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) 针对遮挡中断问题，uBeam 规划在消费级产品中引入配对与定位系统，使发射器能定向追踪在房间内移动的设备。 - [00:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=44s) 现场尝试连接 iPhone 充电时因早晨装配的电池组件临时故障而未触发手机充电状态，成为演示中的小插曲。 - [00:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=44s) 测试仪表显示系统在当前展示间距下生成约 8 伏特（8V）电压，理论上已超过普通 USB 供电设备所需的 5 伏特（5V）。 - [00:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=44s) 物理距离对能量传输效率有直接影响：接收端靠近发射端时电压读数明显攀升，远离时输出电压迅速下降。 - [00:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=44s) 演示者澄清该技术底层原理必须依靠直线波束，但通过自适应波束成形与空间追踪，能在用户感知层面营造出非视线阻碍的体验。 - [00:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=44s) uBeam 当场给出了较为激进的产品落地时间表，目标在 2011 年秋季末推出首款面向市场的无线充电硬件。 ## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=3s) D9 大会现场的超声波无线充电技术展示与视线阻隔测试在 D9（All Things Digital）大会现场，科技媒体 Engadget 的记者 Darren Murph 来到了初创公司 uBeam 的展位，见证该公司基于超声波技术的无线电力传输首次公开演示。展台人员随即开始组装并插上设备电源，正式向外界展示如何利用高频声波隔空输送电能。当发射端开启并开始发出超声波后，接收端相连的电表立刻有了反应，清晰显示出正在接收电压。为了验证电能确实是通过空气中的波束直接传输，演示人员将手掌直接横切挡在发射端与接收端之间，电表上的电压读数瞬间归零，移开手掌后读数则立即恢复，现场直观地验证了这种声波无线供电对直线无遮挡路径（Line of sight）的依赖。面对当前演示中存在的遮挡中断问题，演示者向 Darren 解释了未来消费级产品的应对方案。在当前的工程原型机阶段，系统需要发射端与接收端之间保持无阻碍的视线直达；但在规划中的最终量产产品中，发射器与接收端之间将集成一套动态配对与定位系统，使发射装置能够实时追踪设备在空间中的物理位置。演示者展望道：“so for the final product there'll be a pairing there'll be a pairing system between the uh the transmitter and the receiver so you can walk around the room and it'll just Target where where you're at and it'll Target”，从而实现用户拿着设备在房间内随意走动时依然能维持定向充能。 - 演示场景：D9 大会现场，Engadget 对 uBeam 超声波无线输电的原型机进行首次上手与实机功能验证。 - 物理遮挡反应：演示者向 Darren 说明：“and now we are beaming ultrasound and you can see that the uh that the power meter is showing that it is taking a voltage and if I put my hand in front of it it's not anymore”，证实了声波传输在物理上极易受人体等障碍物截断。 ### [00:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI&t=44s) 电压实测、距离衰减与首款产品发布预期在现场尝试给一部 iPhone 进行实际充电时，展台出现了一个小小的插曲。现场准备了一个连接在接收模块上的 USB 转接头，理论上可以直接为手机充电，但演示者略带歉意地解释称，当天早晨装配的一个电池组件临时出现了故障，导致此时手机端未正常显示充电状态。不过她强调，底层的输电能力已经完全达标：测试仪表显示，在当前距离下系统生成了大约 8 伏特（8V）的电压，而给 iPhone 或任何常规 USB 供电设备充电通常只需要 5 伏特（5V）。为了直观展现距离对能量传输效率的影响，演示者将接收端逐步向发射端推近，电表上的电压数字显著攀升；而随着接收端被拉远，输出电压又迅速下降。随后，Darren 进一步追问这套技术究竟何时能摆脱“视线阻挡即断电”的物理限制，以及团队预期的商业化时间表。针对无视线阻挡（Non-line-of-sight）的疑问，演示者给出了非常精确的物理与用户体验界定，指出系统在底层原理上始终必须基于无遮挡的直线波束，但通过自适应波束成形与空间追踪算法，用户感知层面将几乎感受不到限制。演示者明确表示：“so to the user it will effectively not be line of sight but it'll function as as line of sight”。至于产品落地的具体节奏，演示者信心十足地透露公司的研发进度十分明确，并当场给出了较为激进的预期目标：“expect to have our first product uh hopefully by the end of this fall”，希望能在那年（2011年）秋季末正式推出首款面向市场的无线充电硬件产品。 - 传输电参数：系统在演示间距下可产生约 8 伏特电压，高于 USB 标准充电所需的 5 伏特阈值。 - 距离衰减规律：接收端靠近发射端时测量读数明显飙升，拉远时电量相应衰减。 - 产品化路线：团队规划首款商用产品于 2011 年秋季末（end of this fall）问世，主打动态追踪带来的拟非视线（quasi-non-line-of-sight）体验。 ## Mentioned uBeam, Darren Murph, Engadget, D9 大会, iPhone [Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHxyweJcZI)

Original transcript

[0:03] hey this is Darren here with end Gadget [0:05] we are at D9 we're at UB beams Booth [0:07] showing off wireless power so we're [0:09] going to get the first demo here yeah go [0:11] for it plugging this in right here okay [0:15] just turning on turning this on all [0:17] right and now we are beaming ultrasound [0:19] and you can see that the uh that the [0:21] power meter is showing that it is taking [0:23] a voltage and if I put my hand in front [0:25] of it it's not anymore oh there you go [0:28] so this is line of sight um this is line [0:30] of sight so for the final product [0:32] there'll be a pairing there'll be a [0:33] pairing system between the uh the [0:36] transmitter and the receiver so you can [0:37] walk around the room and it'll just [0:38] Target where where you're at and it'll [0:41] Target sorry about that um is there a [0:44] time table your iPhone right now um so [0:47] so there's the USB adapter and it and it [0:49] should be charging but um the battery [0:51] that I put in earlier this morning is [0:54] isn't working right now but um but you [0:56] can see that it's accepting enough [0:58] charge we we have [1:00] proximately let's see let's see we have [1:04] got approximately eight volts right now [1:05] that we're generating across this [1:06] distance um and to charge an an iPhone [1:09] we only need 5 volts any USB cap need 5 [1:12] Vol uh if you move this closer I can [1:14] show you [1:15] that move this closer you can see this [1:19] number getting [1:20] higher [1:23] um yep and then move this [1:26] away there you go so there's the demo [1:32] Tada is there a timetable for when it [1:34] would not be line of sight you mentioned [1:36] that it would just um so that will be in [1:39] our final we know exactly how to so to [1:41] the user it will effectively not be line [1:43] of sight but it'll function as as line [1:45] of sight um is there a timetable for [1:47] your first product for this this so we [1:50] expect to have our first product by oh [1:52] there it is yeah um expect to have our [1:54] first product uh hopefully by the end of [1:56] this fall so is this is the phone [1:59] supposed to be charged ing now yeah I'm [2:01] just going to take that