The NFC Forum, which governs the standards for Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, has announced the latest update to its Certification Release, CR14. This update includes certification for the Kitchen Appliances use case, as outlined by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) Ki Standard. The Ki Cordless Kitchen, featuring products certified by the NFC Forum, is being presented by WPC at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, USA. CR14 will be used by WPC to certify the NFC functionalities within Ki Cordless Kitchens.
The Ki power standard is very similar with the familiar Qi power standard. Both use power induction to transfer electricity to compatible devices. Ki power will allow you to use your small kitchen appliances, like kettles, toasters, and more, without having to worry about finding an available outlet or untangling a mess of cords.
The Ki Standard is a global benchmark for wireless power transfer in kitchen settings. Its objective is to eliminate the need for power cords and to introduce a communication channel between kitchen appliances and the Ki power transmitters. This aims to enhance the user experience with wireless power. The NFC Forum’s role is to test and certify the NFC components used in Ki-certified appliances, ensuring they operate safely and compatibly within the Ki Cordless Kitchen setup.
Mike McCamon, Executive Director of NFC Forum, emphasized that CR14 reflects the ongoing relevance of NFC technologies and the Certification Program across multiple sectors, such as Payment, Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Access Control, and now Kitchen Appliances. Paul Struhsaker, Executive Director of the WPC, noted that the Ki Standard is anticipated to transform modern kitchens and that the collaboration with NFC Forum is crucial for bringing this concept to fruition.
The NFC Forum works with industry and standards organizations to advance and broaden their standards and certification programs as new use cases and market demands appear. The previous version, CR13, introduced digital key capabilities for the Automotive industry through the Car Connectivity Consortium’s CCC Digital Key ecosystem. CR14 supports the WPC Ki Standard, aiming to enhance NFC technology’s potential in smart kitchens by ensuring reliable compatibility across connected devices.
The NFC Forum Certification Program ensures that devices comply with NFC Forum Specifications. This compliance is essential for associations and standards bodies that use NFC technology to maintain consistency in device behavior, establish interoperability, and provide improved user experiences. For more detailed information about certified products, certification processes, and support for the Ki standard, check out the WPC’s website here or the NFC’s press release here.
