Maker Resurrects Abandoned Apple AirPower Concept Into Ultimate Smart Desk
An independent hardware maker has resurrected Apple's abandoned AirPower concept by building a smart desk featuring a motorized wireless charging coil, transparent display, and automated ergonomics.
Apple famously abandoned its ambitious AirPower charging mat in 2019 before it ever hit the market, failing to create a surface where multiple devices could be charged simultaneously regardless of placement. Now, a hardware maker known as HTX Studio has resurrected that abandoned concept on a much grander scale, transforming it into a high-tech smart desk.
Engineering a Moving Charging Mechanism
Building a desk-sized wireless charger with overlapping coils proved unfeasible due to high costs, excessive component usage, and severe heat generation risks. Instead, the maker—whose real name is He Shijia—utilized a single moving charging coil paired with a camera tracking system positioned beneath a glass surface. When a device is placed anywhere on the desk, the camera detects its location and a motor drives the coil directly underneath it.
After initial prototypes suffered from sluggish motor speeds and tangled wiring, He spent months re-engineering the internal mechanics and wire management. He also replaced the standard glass top with a transparent screen. When a device is placed on the desk, the system moves the coil into position and displays a charging animation directly beneath the hardware. If multiple devices are detected, the desk charges them sequentially. Fixed charging coils were also embedded in the corners of the desk for simultaneous power delivery, while a modified wireless keyboard rests on the surface and charges automatically.
Beyond Charging: A Fully Integrated Workstation
"The desk integrates a Mac mini directly into its internal structure, connecting to an external monitor via HDMI and combining advanced ergonomics with automated health reminders."
Beyond power delivery, the smart desk functions as a standalone computer workstation by housing a naked Mac mini directly within the furniture's internal frame. The transparent glass surface doubles as a display capable of showing to-do lists that interact with physical LED indicators on the frame.
To promote better workplace ergonomics, the desk features a motorized standing mechanism. If the built-in camera detects that the user has been sitting continuously for an hour, the entire surface illuminates to prompt a posture change. Furthermore, the desk can encourage hydration by utilizing an integrated electromagnet beneath the charging coil to slide a metallic cup closer to the user. Finally, placing a smartphone on the desk triggers a Pomodoro-style 25-minute focus timer button, temporarily disabling charging if the device is picked up prematurely.
