Proc. ICCCN'18, Hangzhou, China, July 30-August 2, 2018 Is Crowdcharging Possible? Eyuphan Bulut∗, Steven Hernandez∗, Aashish Dhungana∗ and Boleslaw K. Szymanskiy ∗Dept. of Comp. Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284 yDept. of Computer Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180 Email: febulut, hernandezsm, [email protected], [email protected] Abstract—Limited battery capacity has been the main bot- most users is to charge their devices opportunistically (i.e., tleneck for smartphones. Users are required to charge their with short durations and more frequently) and try to keep them smartphones frequently to keep them alive. Access to a charging with as much power as possible [3]. This is due to the anxiety facility, however, may not be possible especially when users are outside. This has caused users to charge their devices at every of losing power in the middle of a critical task especially when opportunity with as much power as possible. While this results in they do not have an easy access to a power outlet. overcharging of devices unnecessarily, it might have brought an Finding a power outlet for charging purposes can be chal- opportunity for the realization of power sharing among mobile lenging especially when users are outside. Users sometimes devices. In this paper, we introduce the concept of crowdcharging take the advantage of being in public venues such as libraries, which aims to provide mobile users with ubiquitous power access through crowdsourcing. We first discuss the feasibility of coffee shops, malls, and subway to charge their phones us- crowdcharging from users’ perspective and present some analysis ing freely available charging ports. However, other outdoor and survey results showing the interest and need. We then look locations such as streets, parks, and beaches are comparably at the software and hardware challenges to build such a system. less equipped with charging port. At airports, sometimes To this end, we have developed a mobile app that builds a mobile users find a business-sponsored power kiosk mostly around social network environment among the users and manages the entire process of power sharing between the mobile devices. We boarding gates but they are quickly occupied by other travelers. present the software implementation details using P2P wireless In response to the need of finding an outlet, some apps energy sharing and provide initial lab results with actual wireless (mostly working through crowdsourcing) are built to find out charging hardware. the nearest available plugs (e.g., ChargeItSpot [4], Airport Power [5]). I. INTRODUCTION Alternative solutions to charging through a power outlet in- Advanced software capabilities and complicated applica- clude carrying additional batteries, external power banks, solar tions running on smartphones have increased the quality of chargers [6] or other eco-friendly chargers like mobile hand life for users. However, the charge on most smartphones lasts generators [7]. However, the need for carrying an accessory about one day with average usage, or less with intensive usage still stays there and only limited power could be supplied. (e.g., social sensing [1]). As a result, users are required to In this paper, we explore the concept of crowdcharging, charge their devices frequently. The most common practice for which aims to provide mobile users with ubiquitous power users is to charge their phones by connecting them to a wall access through crowdsourcing. As it is very unlikely that all outlet through charging cables. This requires users to carry a mobile devices in the vicinity will deplete their battery at the charging cable and find an outlet, which is mostly available same time, such a power sharing solution could be a promising indoors. Thus, the charging process can potentially be irritating remedy especially in emergency situations in which even a and sometimes infeasible. With the integration of built-in wire- small amount of charge could be sufficient to perform the less charging capability in recent phones (including iPhone 8 task and life saving. Our aim in this paper is to discover the and X [2]), users are relieved from the need to carry charging feasibility of the crowdcharging from (i) users’, (ii) software cables but the current application of wireless charging is very and (iii) hardware perspective. We first discuss the results of a limited as it requires not the phone but the charging mat to be survey we conducted regarding the current charging behavior connected to an outlet. of users and the interest and need for peer-to-peer (P2P) energy An organized user adopting regular daily charging habits sharing. We also analyze the current user mobility behavior for (e.g., charging at home/work) and practicing several ways the opportunity of energy sharing among peers. We then look of power saving (e.g., dimming brightness, shutting down at the software and hardware challenges to build such a system. background apps) can mitigate the risk of facing a depleted We have developed a mobile app that builds a social network battery situation. However, the current charging behavior of platform among the users and manages the entire process of power sharing between the mobile devices. We present the This work was supported in part by NSF award CNS-1647217. B.K.S. was partially supported by the Army Research Laboratory under Cooperative software implementation details using P2P wireless energy Agreement Number W911NF-09-2-0053 (the ARL Network Science Collab- sharing and provide initial lab results with actual wireless orative Technology Alliance). The views and conclusions contained in this charging hardware. document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies either expressed or implied of the U.S. Army Research The rest of the paper is structured as follows. In Section II, Laboratory or the U.S. Government. we look at the feasibility of crowdcharging from users’ TABLE I: Survey results. Survey Question A B C D 1. Do you carry a charging cable with you? A) Always, B) Most of the time, C) No, I borrow from friends 32% 23% 45% N/A 2. How many charging cables do you have? A) 1, B) 2, C) 3, D) More 45% 32% 13% 9% 3. How do you charge your phone? (Select all that apply) A) Using power outlets at walls with a cable, B) Using 100% 45% 6% 3% my laptop’s usb port with a charging cable, C) Using wireless charging pad/mat, D) From portable battery packs 4. If your phone could be equipped with a wireless power transfer equipment and an app that would let you do 68% 32% N/A N/A P2P charge sharing (in the amount controlled by you), would you be interested in having it? A) Yes, B) No 5. For which purposes, would you consider using the power sharing app A) Only to receive charge from others, 6% 0% 71% 23% B) Only to send charge to the others, C) Both for sending and receiving, D) None 6. If you would consider using it to share charge with others, which of the following(s) applies to you? A) With 77% 26% 16% 42% people that I know (e.g., friends/family) and without risking my own charging needs, B) With anybody who needs, C) Only if they pay me, D) Only among my own devices 7. What distance of wireless charging would be sufficient for you to use it? A) Current technology (<1cm), B) 33% 25% 13% 29% 1-10cm, C) 10-30cm, D) More 8. What charging efficiency of wireless charging would be sufficient for you to use it? A) Current technology 33% 16% 36% 15% (50-70%), B) Lower efficiency is also ok if charging at longer distances could be provided, C) 90% efficiency (regardless of distance), D) More perspective and provide some analysis and survey results charging could be in passive mode with minimal intrusion regarding its potential. In Section III, we discuss the software to users (i.e., without changing their current charging and implementation details of an app that manages energy sharing mobility habits). While crowdcharging could be realized with between two smartphones. In Section IV, we discuss the P2P active participation [11] of users in which they will need power sharing hardware technologies and their applicability to change their current charging habits and mobility while with current smartphones. Then, in Section V we describe a being compensated for their sharing, we think passive mode small wireless charging based lab set up integrated with our application (similar to crowd GPS [12]) could motivate more app and present some preliminary results. Finally, we discuss users to participate. Thus, in this paper, we are interested in related work in Section VI and end up with conclusion in the analysis of current user behaviors to explore if it can be Section VII. leveraged to realize crowdcharging. Is there an interest from users in P2P wireless energy II. USER ASPECT:INTEREST AND OPPORTUNITY sharing? We did a survey (among VCU engineering students) In this part, we investigate the feasibility of (wireless to understand the current charging related habits of users charging based) crowdcharging from users’ perspective. The and to see if there is an interest in P2P energy sharing and capability of power sharing between the batteries of phones crowdcharging. Table I shows the summary of responses from indeed transforms power to a tradable commodity and can the survey. While most of the students said they have more incentivize users for sharing. Users could be concerned though than one charging cable, 45% of them said they rarely carry about effects of power transfer on human health and safety [8]. a charging cable and borrow one from their friends, when The idea that power is transferring through the air or is buzzing needed.