At this year’s MWC, Kyocera will be showcasing an ultra rugged Windows Phone, the Kyocera Torque. The ruggedized aspect of the phone extends to the phone’s usability despite running out of battery.
Kyocera will be using SunPartner’s Wysips display which is a PV display technology. The Wysips technology is an extremely thin film with 90% transparency that is implemented on mobile device displays. It is equipped with a photovoltaic cell which is able to generate power through exposure to either natural or artificial light. The generated power is conditioned by a chip before linking it to the smartphone’s main power management ic (PMIC).
This technology allows drained smartphones to be further used by recharging the battery slowly, through the PV cell in the film. This is incredibly helpful for emergency situations.
With the Wysips technology implemented, the power generated will counteract the standby power drain, effectively extending the battery life.
From another perspective, the technology could offer relatively zero power consumption of smartphones while on standby. Normally, smartphones on standby still consume a significant portion of battery capacity because of the power amplifiers that are keeping the phone’s network constantly available. With the Wysips technology implemented, the power generated will counteract the standby power drain, effectively extending the battery life.
Kyocera’s KC-S701 or Torque phone will be targeted at the European market. The phone is reported to carry a Windows 8.1 OS, and will feature the typical set of rugged capabilities such as being waterproof and shockproof. It will also be able to withstand high percentage of humidity, extreme temperatures, and has a characteristic solar radiation of 1.12 kW/m2 over 24 hours of exposure.
Apart from the Torque, Kyocera will showcase demonstrations of their Smart Sonic Receiver speaker-less audio technology at the March event.
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