Mobile chip giant Qualcomm has unveiled a new technology that it claims will allow wireless charging for devices with metal cases for the first time.

Additionally the company has announced a new patent licence agreement with Swiss automotive component company BRUSA covering its Halo wireless electric vehicle charging (WEVC) technology.

The Qualcomm wireless charging technology for devices is called WiPower and is compliant with the Rezenance standard. Wireless charging has been around for a while and was first introduced into the mainstream by Nokia, with the likes of Samsung soon following suit. But one drawback to this tech was that it required a plastic case to work if it was embedded in the device, while many consumers prefer metal cases.

“Building a wireless charging solution into devices with metal exteriors is a significant step for moving the entire industry forward,” said Steve Pazol, GM of Wireless Charging at Qualcomm. “Today, more device manufacturers are choosing to utilize metal alloys in their product designs to provide greater structural support and, of course, aesthetics. QTIs engineering advancement eliminates a major obstacle facing wireless power and opens up the continued adoption of this desirable feature to a much wider range of consumer electronics and use cases.”

The BRUSA announcement is important to Qualcomm as much for symbolic as practical reasons, indicating the company’s significance in the automotive sector, where mobile technology in general it taking on increasing importance.

“We are excited about our license agreement with BRUSA; it expands and diversifies the Qualcomm Halo supplier network, giving automobile manufacturers another trusted source of our advanced inventions,” said Pazol. “QualcommHalo licensees can bring to market highly efficient, fit-for-purpose, WEVC systems, which allow convenient charging and improve the EV driver’s user experience.”

“Wireless charging will win, it will give e-mobility a big boost, it will set new, sustainable technology apart from old gasoline-based technology,” said Josef Brusa, CEO of BRUSA. We are determined to make wireless charging a reality. We already offer technically sound and commercially viable systems to the market and we are excited about the potential of wireless charging.”