Earlier this month, I posted about new Ryobi cordless power tools that are coming out in 2018. One of those tools is an underwater pool vacuum. I have no need for a pool vacuum, but there is one aspect I did find interesting – it comes with a TouchCharge wireless charger.
That’s right, Ryobi has quietly introduced a wireless charger and a tool that was designed to work with it.
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The user manual for the new Ryobi TouchCharge charger, P134 (PDF manual) has a diagram showing its use with the underwater stick vac. But can there be other tools and applications in the works?
TTI’s trademark application (serial no. 87687451) for the Ryobi TouchCharge name describes a number of applicable product categories. With trademarks, companies are often broader-scoped than they initially plan for, in order to include potential future product types. But perhaps we’ll see Ryobi TouchCharge products in some of these categories?
Electric screwdrivers; vacuum cleaners; underwater vacuum cleaners; robotic vacuum cleaners; electric lockboxes
Digital cameras; portable battery packs; batteries and battery chargers; wireless charging system for power tools; motion sensors; position sensors; contact sensors; radios; audio speakers, wireless speakers; mobile hotspot devices; Ethernet hub; headphones; motion sensing alarms; infrared thermometers, not for medical purposes; digital multimeters; measuring apparatus, namely, laser distance meters; self-leveling lasers; tool cart specially adapted with a mobile device charging device
Light bulbs; lanterns for lighting; flashlights; laser lights; flood lights and work lights for construction settings; lamps
Pegboards
Shelves; storage racks; plastic pegboards
Plastic storage containers for domestic use
With the Ryobi TouchCharge underwater vacuum, the design allows for a completely sealed product. It means that you can dock the tool to recharge, but you can also swap out the 18V One+ battery pack.
This design holds a lot of potential. With some tools, you can have a TouchCharge recharging feature built in. And for others, perhaps Ryobi will come out with 18V One+ TouchCharge battery packs.
Do you think that Ryobi designed the TouchCharge wireless charger with only the underwater stick vacuum in mind? Or are more tools on the way?
Which tools, if any, would you like to see with wireless charging technology?
How do feel about inductively-charged Ryobi battery packs?
Ryobi isn’t be the first tool brand to offer an inductive charger. Bosch came out with inductive/wireless charging technology a few years ago.
Jerry says
My understanding, and correct me if I’m wrong, is that they trade off speed for convenience, making this system better for occasional use tools, or at least ones you don’t use for long periods of time at once. This would be great for grab and go tools like cordless screwdrivers, hand vacs, etc. I would expect things loke drills/drivers would still be preferred with a standard (faster) charger.
Josh says
I kind of want a Bosch induction charger on my workbench, but I get enough runtime out of a 1.5ah pack in a small tool that I don’t see any benefit over just having a spare pack to throw on the charger. Maybe in a professional assembly environment this would change.
Jason. W says
I work for a car manufacturer. I can see no added benefit of wireless charging vs the added price point. We run a 1 minute and 6 second takt time. When a battery dies we all know how to swap one out fast enough to not miss a beat. Every station that requires a wireless gun has a backup battery on a charger there in station.
most to all the guns we use are Panasonic, Bosch, or ingersoll Rand. Those brands have controllable torque settings (using Newton meters)
fred says
Maybe we will see a new generation of “sealed” specialist tools that can work in wet, explosion-prone or dirty environments. Motor cooling and reduced motor life may an issue with designing such tools. But if we end up with more sealed tools then induction charging may catch on.
James C says
I have the Evercharge hand vac. After about 6 months I finally mounted the charging dock to the wall. I think it’s somewhat similar to wireless charging in concept. To me, the benefit isn’t so much ease of charging, but more like having a place for the tool to “live” when not in use. Both the wife and me know to return the vac to the dock and we won’t ever need to hunt for a fresh battery. I don’t know if it makes sense for every type of tool (slower charge times, etc) but if you still have the option to swap in a new battery if you need to, then why not add a wireless charging feature (assuming not cost prohibitive)?
Jeremiah says
I like the concept of inductive charging for tools,
and I really want it on my next phone because I keep phones too long and thats the weak point for me.
Like Fred says, the biggest benefit is in sealed tools that aren’t so easy to switch batts. For my current job (facilities maintenance at a single site) i could see having my rolling cart equipped with a holster, rack or other spot for each tool in some combo of a drill, screwdriver, impact, circ saw, recip saw, omt, light, vacuum, nailer. The whole cart would have 1 plug to dock at night and id never have to worry. The alternative which is close to my present situation is having tools on same platform and carrying a spare battery on cart in case 1 dies, then just plugging in battery at shop at end of day and ready for tomorrow. Currently I have multiple platforms and grab what tools I think I’ll need for the day. I currently keep a 12v screwdriver and 18v drill on the cart always, with a variety of drill/driver bits. I don’t usually carry a spare battery, just check the level most mornings, because a charge lasts multiple days.
pete says
They do have inductive stickers that you can add to your phone, i see that some have some pretty decent reviews. I have kids so if my phone is set down on a charging pad one of the kids will grab it then it won’t be charging anymore lol
Stuart says
I had inductive charging on my phone two models ago. Its battery life got really bad after a year, and I convinced myself it was due to the inductive charger.
It also wasn’t very practical. I would have to adjust my phone slightly when docking it at night, although that was a slight improvement over the hassle of trying to plug it in.
With my next phone, I plugged it in without much issue.
My current phone has a US-C connection, which is easier to plug in. I have been meaning to get an inductive charger for it, but it charges fast and easily enough plugged in that I haven’t been in a hurry.
Jonathan says
@ Stuart sounds like you own an S8/S9, I’ve got a S8+ but the only time I use wireless charging is when USB C port is used with
USB-C/HDMI cable to Stream Netflix/Hulu/VUDU over T-mo when we’re at the Beach house.
I will say the phone gets quite warm, did notice after the first time watcing this way the battery started needed charging before the end of the day.
I bought two wireless OEM chargers when we bought our phones, but I find that the wired fast charge more effective for heavy drain days and the USB C chiral plugs quick to connect. Also I think I would pref a pad or a mat over the stand.
For power tools I would want a pad/mat with an RFID or NFC handshake so that if anyone set conductive metal object on the pad it wouldn’t be an issue.
Yet, today’s battery life, battery swaps seemed to be spaced further and further apart.
I would rather see tool/battery connections wireless (wear, corrosion on terminals, less risk of shorting or arcing with accidental bridging).
Stuart says
Yep – S8+.
Motorola Droid
Galaxy Nexus w/ extended battery
Droid Maxx
Note 5
Galaxy S8+
Hmm, before that:
Motorola StarTac
Samsung SCH-A670 (I had to look that one up)
LG Voyager
I’m trying to remember, but I think that was all of them. Maybe there was another flip phone, but I don’t think so.
My original Droid was nice – it had its own docking station that worked quite well. But I guess too few people liked those extras, and so manufacturers stopped making accessories like that.
Jim Felt says
Having had every iPhone except the 8 series the X is inductive but we still use the Lightning jacks 90% of the time and always for backups. Plus the iPads/iPods (remember those?) have Lightning jacks as well.
Joe Smith says
Seems unnecessary for most tools but I suppose if you are in a environment with a lot of conductive dust or other hazards it makes sense,
Jonathan says
Perhaps, wireless for high drain tools regularly used at a work bench or a job site or work station.
What I think might make more sense an inductive mobile tool storage solutions, i.e. at the end if the day roll your tool box to you rig plug in and charge while you commute, next day your tools are fully charged, and you only had to plug in your toolbox, not unload then swap out and recharge and reload your tools.
That would be a time saver, and you would always have a fully charged battery next time you grabbed it.
Jim Felt says
Seems reasonable. I’m wondering what the ROI might look like. And if so that might be one reason they are hardly ubiquitous.