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Born and raised in Jordan, Hatem Zeine found a love for technology as a young boy. In high school and later college, Hatem honed his skills in computer software and hardware design. In 1988, he received a BS in physics from Manchester University in the United Kingdom. Before moving to the United States, Hatem founded Zeine Technological Applications, introducing the world to Alef, the most popular selling Arabic language computer office program. Soon Hatem became a Principle Test Architect for Microsoft, where he filed 7 patents.

Today, Hatem is widely considered a premier expert on wireless technology. In 2008, while still working for Microsoft, he founded Ossia, based out of Redmond, Washington, to further develop his wireless energy visions. Keeping his projects hidden from the public, Hatem invented Cota, a revolutionary way of providing contactless energy. In 2012, Hatem left Microsoft just in time to launch Ossia at San Francisco’s annual 2013 TechCrunch Disrupt. With Cota, Hatem explains, Ossia is “offering a solution to one of the biggest engineering challenges, how to send and receive power.”

Without the need for wires, cables, charging pads, or even line of sight, Cota can transmit power to devices over long ranges for continued use. Using cloud technology, a receiver is attached to a device that communicates with a stationary transmitter. As explained on Ossia’s website, “When the Cota transmitter, which can be any shape, spots the Cota receiver’s signal, {sic ‘it’} sends power back through all of the same paths the receiver used. This multi-path functionality allows it to continuously and safely send power when needed.”

Perhaps one of the greatest impacts a wireless charging system like Cota can have is in the commercial drone industry. Countless enterprises have begun relying on drones for daily tasks. However, drones have one major limitation, they can only support a battery with a short flight time. This means users need to have multiple drones with backup batteries available. Limited flight time has also made it difficult to expand drone delivery options beyond last mile solutions. “One of the core capabilities of our technology is that it’s able to track a moving object, whether it’s a wearable on your arm or a small drone flying,” Hatem said. “In spaces like warehouses or homes, you can have small drones that consume power in the lower power range and actually receive power when they’re in flight.”

The Cota system relays power by bouncing the signal off solid, inanimate structures, such as walls and furniture. Because it is a low power source, it cannot pass through humans or pets, making it safe to use. For use in drones, the charging signal would not be disrupted if the drone flies behind a building. The receiver and transmitter automatically reroute the charge signal to bounce off the object, continuously providing power. As of right now, Cota can deliver power sources to drones in controlled environments like those used in inspection, construction, and securities. Hatem’s goal is for Cota to provide a power source of 5.8 gigahertz by 2023, enough to keep a drone powered at greater distances.

Cota is adaptable to any product that can use wireless charging, be it a drone, computer, or phone. Hatem sees it being exceptionally beneficial to the drone industry as it can be incorporated into any drone without adding bulky weight. Right now, Hatem is waiting for regulatory approval to begin testing Cota with drone manufacturers. “We can potentially engage (with drone manufacturers) next year and prototype some designs if there are some interested parties,” Hatem said. “This is the first time this technology is available on the market and we would like to take full advantage to build projects that were never conceived of before.”