PowerLight Technologies
PowerLight Technologies is an American engineering company developing laser-based power transmission through optical fiber and free space.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
PowerLight Technologies is an American engineering firm focused on transmitting electrical energy as laser light rather than through conventional conductive wiring. Its work centers on two related approaches: power-over-fiber, in which laser energy travels through an optical fiber to a photovoltaic receiver, and free-space laser power beaming, in which a laser beam crosses air or vacuum before being converted back into electricity at its destination. These technologies are intended for situations where copper conductors are too heavy, difficult to deploy, or operationally unsuitable because of electromagnetic interference or other environmental constraints. The company originated as LaserMotive, founded in 2006 by physicists Tom Nugent and Jordin Kare. Its initial objective was to compete in NASA's Centennial Challenges Beam Power Challenge, an event associated with the Space Elevator Games. LaserMotive initially worked with The Boeing Company, which supplied access to testing facilities and specialized solar cells. Although the team did not qualify for the 2007 challenge because it could not meet NASA's specifications, it continued developing laser power transmission. LaserMotive achieved a major public milestone in 2009. On November 6, its system used a high-power infrared laser to propel a 4.8-kilogram climber up a 900-meter cable suspended from a helicopter. The entry was the only one to reach the top of the cable, traveling at an average speed of approximately 13 kilometers per hour and receiving a $900,000 prize. The demonstration established a practical performance record for the challenge and showed that remotely delivered optical energy could support mechanical motion over a substantial distance. The company subsequently applied its technology to unmanned aircraft. In 2010, it reported powering a quadcopter for more than 12 hours at the Future of Flight Center using infrared semiconductor diode lasers and a small photovoltaic receiver. The aircraft retained only a very limited onboard battery, so the demonstration emphasized the potential of continuous external power rather than conventional battery endurance. In 2012, the company equipped a Lockheed Martin Stalker unmanned aircraft system with a laser receiver and demonstrated operation during both day and night in a desert environment. The demonstration was presented as the first outdoor flight of a laser-powered unmanned aircraft. In 2017, LaserMotive changed its name to PowerLight Technologies, appointed three new advisers, and announced a stronger commercial focus on power-over-fiber. Chief executive Richard Gustoffson characterized the shift as a major transformation. PowerLight continued to pursue free-space power transmission while emphasizing applications in which lightweight optical fiber can replace heavier electrical cabling. Potential use cases described for the technology include ground, airborne, underwater, spacecraft, satellite, and lunar-rover systems. Publicly available reference material does not establish the company's current ownership, headquarters city, financial performance, listed status, or the commercial availability of specific products.
History
PowerLight Technologies traces its origins to LaserMotive, an engineering venture established in 2006 by physicists Tom Nugent and Jordin Kare. The company was created to pursue laser-based power transmission and to compete in NASA's Centennial Challenges Beam Power Challenge. The challenge sought systems capable of delivering energy remotely to a climbing vehicle, an idea connected with space-elevator and tether-propulsion concepts. LaserMotive collaborated with The Boeing Company during its early development. Boeing provided testing facilities and specialized solar cells used in the team's experiments. The company did not qualify for the 2007 challenge because it was unable to satisfy NASA's requirements, but the setback did not end the program. LaserMotive continued refining its laser transmitters, optical systems, and photovoltaic receivers for applications beyond the competition. The most significant early achievement came during the 2009 Beam Power Challenge. On November 6, LaserMotive directed a high-power infrared beam at a climber weighing 4.8 kilograms and carried it up a 900-meter cable suspended from a helicopter. The climber reached the top at an average speed of about 13 kilometers per hour. LaserMotive was the only entrant to complete the ascent and received a $900,000 prize. The event demonstrated the use of remotely transmitted optical energy to produce useful mechanical work over a long vertical distance. After the tether experiments, the company explored aircraft propulsion and endurance. On October 28, 2010, it demonstrated a quadcopter that remained powered for more than 12 hours at the Future of Flight Center. Infrared semiconductor diode lasers supplied energy to a compact photovoltaic array on the aircraft, while a small battery provided only a few minutes of independent flight capability. The demonstration illustrated how a fixed laser source could support persistent operation without requiring an aircraft to carry a large energy store. On August 7, 2012, the company worked with a Lockheed Martin Stalker unmanned aircraft system. The aircraft carried a laser receiver, and the system was demonstrated during day and night operations in a desert setting. The demonstration was described as the first outdoor flight of an unmanned aircraft powered by laser energy. These experiments expanded the company's focus from tethered climbers to practical airborne platforms. In 2017, LaserMotive changed its corporate name to PowerLight Technologies. The rebranding accompanied the appointment of three new advisers and a stated shift toward commercial applications for power-over-fiber. Under the renamed company, power-over-fiber became a primary product direction, while free-space laser power beaming remained an area of continuing development. Power-over-fiber sends concentrated laser light through optical fiber to a receiver resembling a solar cell. The receiver converts the optical energy back into electricity at the remote end. The approach is potentially useful over hundreds of meters in environments where copper wire is undesirable. Optical fiber is substantially lighter than conventional electrical cable and does not produce the same electromagnetic fields. This creates possible applications in aircraft, ground systems, underwater equipment, and other settings where weight, electromagnetic compatibility, or physical deployment constraints matter. PowerLight has also investigated energy transmission involving spacecraft, satellites, aerial vehicles, and a lunar rover. Public reference material does not confirm the company's current product catalog, commercial scale, ownership, financial condition, or present operating status.
- 2017
Rebrand to PowerLight Technologies
[1]LaserMotive adopted the PowerLight Technologies name, added three advisers, and announced a commercial focus on power-over-fiber.
- 2012
Outdoor laser-powered UAS demonstration
[1]A laser-receiver-equipped Lockheed Martin Stalker UAS operated in day and night desert tests.
- 2010
Long-duration laser-powered quadcopter demonstration
[1]The company reported powering a quadcopter for more than 12 hours using infrared lasers and a photovoltaic receiver.
- 2009
Beam Power Challenge ascent and prize
[1]A laser-powered 4.8-kilogram climber traveled 900 meters up a cable suspended from a helicopter. The company won a $900,000 prize.
- 2007
Early Beam Power Challenge qualification attempt
[1]Working with Boeing-supported testing resources, LaserMotive attempted to qualify for the challenge but did not meet NASA's specifications.
- 2006
LaserMotive is founded
[1]Tom Nugent and Jordin Kare founded LaserMotive to develop laser power transmission and compete in NASA's Beam Power Challenge.
Products and positioning
PowerLight Technologies positions its technology as a lightweight and operationally flexible alternative to copper-based electrical power transmission, serving applications where wire weight, electromagnetic fields, physical access, or distance make conventional cabling impractical.
Optical power transmission · 2017
Power-over-fiber
Power-over-fiber transmits energy as focused laser light through an optical fiber. At the receiving end, a photovoltaic receiver converts the monochromatic optical energy into electricity. The system is intended for locations where copper conductors are too heavy or where electromagnetic fields from ordinary electrical transmission create operational problems. The technology has been considered for ground, airborne, and underwater systems and can provide power over distances of hundreds of meters.
Brand decisions
2017
Shift toward commercial power-over-fiber applicationsStrategyBackground
After years of demonstrations involving tether propulsion and laser-powered aircraft, the company sought to move its technology toward commercial use.
Action taken
LaserMotive changed its name to PowerLight Technologies, appointed three new advisers, and announced power-over-fiber as a principal commercial focus while retaining free-space power beaming as a development area.
Aftermath
The available reference material describes the strategic repositioning but does not provide subsequent revenue, customer, ownership, or commercialization data.
Recent events
- 2017
LaserMotive becomes PowerLight Technologies and emphasizes power-over-fiber[1]
Leadership change
The company adopted the PowerLight Technologies name, brought in three new advisers, and announced commercial applications for its power-over-fiber technology.
- 2012
Laser-powered Lockheed Martin Stalker UAS demonstrated outdoors[1]
Other
A Lockheed Martin Stalker unmanned aircraft system fitted with a laser receiver completed demonstrations during both day and night in a desert environment.
- 2010
Laser-powered quadcopter sets endurance demonstration[1]
Other
The company demonstrated a quadcopter powered for more than 12 hours by infrared semiconductor diode lasers directed at a photovoltaic receiver, with only a small backup battery onboard.
- 2009
LaserMotive wins NASA Centennial Challenges Beam Power Challenge prize[1]
Other
LaserMotive used a high-power infrared laser to move a 4.8-kilogram climber up a 900-meter cable suspended from a helicopter. The entry was the only one to reach the top and received a $900,000 prize.
Sources3 sources
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