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An illustration of Yank Tech’s wireless charging system for a lunar rover. | Source: Yank Technologies
Yank Technologies, a developer of long-rand, high-power wireless charging systems, has been awarded a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Contract. Under the contract, Yank Tech will develop wireless charging systems in kilowatt ranges for autonomous vehicles on the Moon.
Yank Tech is known for its wireless power systems for industrial, autonomous, consumer, and now space applications.
“With this NASA Phase I contract, we will expand our wireless charging ecosystem into the space sector. We can significantly improve the productivity of NASA robots and enable greater human exploration for future missions,” Josh Yank, CEO of Yank Technologies, said.
NASA SBIR contracts allow small business innovators to be part of the growing aerospace ecosystem. Its Artemis Program is expected to cross $93 billion in endowments by 2025, and will help pave the way for future human explorations.
With the increasing demand in Moon exploration, Yank Tech is taking the opportunity to expand its wireless power ecosystem for space applications. The company will develop a kilowatt, modular wireless charging system that can operate in extreme environments from farms on Earth to lunar missions.
Yank Tech’s receiver devices can be integrated into future NASA rovers and its transmitter devices on the lunar surface to improve the uptime and productivity of NASA robots for prolonged use.
Yank Tech has developed patented and patent-pending technology for multiple automotive manufacturers to power electronics that enable new features in next-generation vehicles. Its systems reduce assembly and warranty costs by removing complex wire harness connections while enabling new features like complete cockpit reconfiguration.
The company has achieved innovations like powering passenger vehicles in new locations, like cup holders, and while in use over the air. Yank Tech has also developed new wireless power systems that can power robotic vehicles dynamically to improve manufacturing uptime and productivity.
This isn’t NASA’s only power-related investment for the Moon. Just last week, Astrobotic won a $34.6 million NASA Tipping Point partnership to demonstrate the power transmission abilities of its LunaGrid-Lite on the lunar surface. This will be the first-ever transmission of high-voltage power across the lunar surface.
