Even though today’s most common gadgets are more innovative than the NASA satellites of yesteryear, one thing in the electronics space has largely remained the same: the need to have your device physically “connected” to a station or a chord to actually get a charge. The solution to the evolution is somewhere between the certainty of science and the awesomeness of magic.
Lift, by LevitationWorks, offers a frictionless design; it actually suspends your smartwatch in the air using magnetic induction, and as it floats, it charges. The technology was inspired by Nikola Tesla’s visionary ideas about using the “ether” to power our lives, and the result is a striking and beautiful science experiment on your night stand.
You still need to take your watch on and off every night, but the science-chic makes the process fun and easy. Users simply need to place their Pebble or Apple smartwatch around the charging base and the watch will magically levitate while still taking in the juice.
This induction technology is already found on most wireless smartphone chargers, such as those located in the tables at Starbucks. Lift’s minimalist design was also inspired by Apple and Porsche, companies that emphasize beautiful simplistic design as well as innovative functionality.
The materials used to build the Lift were chosen for beauty, function, and performance. The high quality machined aluminum reinforces the main housing and structural points making it an ideal material to withstand the demands of the device.
As compatibility is a significant component of Lift, the device is engineered to work with all models of the Apple Watch along with the last two generations of the Pebble. There’s also wireless smartphone charging support, and the charging element serves as a portable battery holding up to two charges for your smartwatch while on the go. In a pinch, the battery pack can also be used to power a smartphone.
When Lift isn’t being used as an electronics charger, it functions as a wireless lamp. This is made possible through the Orb, a companion 100 Lumen LED light–of course, that also levitates. Like the charger, this lamp can be taken on the road and run using the built-in battery.
For those of you wondering how much real estate this charging stand will take up on a table: the Lift standard edition is 5.9’’ (width), 5.9’’ (depth), 1.06’’ (height) / 150mm (width), 150mm (depth), 27mm (height). The Pro edition is 9.64’’ (width), 5.9’’ (depth), 1.06’’ (height) / 245mm (width), 150mm (depth), 27mm (height). The battery pack is 1.77’’ (width), 2.5’’ (depth), 1.65’’ (height) / 45mm (width), 64mm (depth), 42mm (height), while the Orb is 2.95’’ (width), 2.95’’ (depth), 2.95’’ (height) / 75mm (width), 75mm (depth), 75mm (height).
Lift has already doubled its Kickstarter campaign goal with over a month left to go; so far they’ve raised over $105,000. The early bird price for the device is $149, and that includes a Lift charger or Orb, Lift base, and power adapter. The Lift + Orb pack is $219 at the early bird pricing, and the pro edition sells for $299.
