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When you flip on a regular light switch, it completes a circuit that ensures electricity runs to the light fixture or outlet the lamp is plugged into. This all happens through wiring: the bulbs you want to connect to the switch are tied up by long strands of copper in the walls. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. There is an alternative that does not require a battery that may render your key useless.
In the showroom Consumer Electronics Show 2026I saw keys, locks, and more connected home gadgets that were able to send the signals needed to get things done around the house without the need for a battery. Gemns demonstrated one method that uses magnets to generate rapid pulses of energy with enough power to send out powerful smart home signals — and it even comes with a satisfying click.
Energy harvesting isn’t the only way to power things wirelessly: A demo from startup Willo on what that’s really about Wireless charging solution That it could run anything within range of the device was surprising enough to my colleague Katie Collins that the CNET Group learned about it through our Best of CES Energy Technology Show Award. new Smart locks Lockin uses technology the company calls AuraCharge to wirelessly power devices with a beam of light, with a range of up to 4 meters as long as there is a clear line of sight. Other devices throughout the show use solar technology to capture enough ambient light to keep the battery charged.
Read more: The home tech gadgets that stole the show at CES 2026
“Everyone has been talking about (the Internet of Things) and how it’s going to expand to billions and billions of sensors, and that hasn’t happened yet,” Larry Reichenstein, founder and CEO of Gemns, told me. “The reason is the batteries. It’s very expensive to put these devices in remote places and then you have to change the batteries when they die every year or so.”
The Gemns G200 can generate a burst of electricity with just a simple movement, such as a quick shot. This little gadget is about one inch in diameter – roughly the size of a quarter.
The goal of all this is something that can be powered without having to replace batteries or run wires. Sure, there’s energy savings if you don’t have to use grid power, but smart home devices tend to use small amounts of power to begin with. Smart locks can run off a few alkaline batteries. Security system sensors can use some primary replaceable batteries.
It’s a matter of smoothness and ease of use. I’ve found that few household tasks are more annoying than trying to figure out what sensor or what a sensor is Smoke detector Low on battery power – then make sure you have the right battery for the job. It’s annoying when it’s AA or AAA, even more annoying when it’s 9V and downright infuriating when it’s a custom battery you can’t buy at the corner store.
Watch this: Lockin enhances your smart lock with an invisible beam
At their core, Gemns rely on forcing magnets to spin quickly when a physical action occurs, such as turning a doorknob or flipping a switch. This action generates a small amount of energy that can be captured in capacitors and discharged to perform a simple, controllable action. Consider scanning an ID card for a lock or reporting that the door is open or closed.
The company displayed a variety of products that can generate energy and send different signals. One of the light switches includes a dimmer switch, allowing you to adjust the intensity of the light’s power before pressing the switch. It can then turn on the smart light wherever it is within range of the switch’s signal – without having to keep the bulb in a specific corner of the room.
Gemns-enabled devices won’t always be on, so something that requires a constant connection may also require a battery or may not be suitable. However, the company expects to start licensing its power technology soon, allowing you to soon have smart home devices that won’t require you to change the battery.