Hoplite

About the offering

A 2019 study by Pew Research Center found that 96% of Americans own a cell phone of some kind and 81% of Americans own a smartphone, up from 35% in 2011.i According to a 2018 study on smartphone users, Morning Consult found that battery life was the most important smartphone feature for users across all brands. 95% of respondents also claimed that battery life is one of the most important factors when purchasing a new phone.ii Even though users state that battery is the most important feature, smartphone manufacturers have not done much about battery size in the past five years.iii In fact, a recent survey by LG Electronics found that 90% of respondents reported feeling panic when their cell phone batter dropped to 20% or lower, a phenomenon dubbed “low battery anxiety.”iv Many companies have attempted to solve this “low battery anxiety” problem by implementing public charging stations in airports, stadiums, and other high-traffic locations. These public charging stations require the user to physically plug-in their device using integrated charging cables. Users have to stand by the station and wait while their phones charge, which can prove difficult and inconvenient when on the go. Further, while useful in certain scenarios, security experts suggest avoiding public charging stations. Charging stations at an airport or stadium can easily be hacked, allowing hackers to steal data from phones using it to charge. Called “juice-jacking,” cybercriminals are able to use the USB plugs to download data and install malware without the user knowing. Instead, security experts suggest utilizing a portable battery pack.v Founded in September 2014, and based in New York City, Hoplite Power has built an on-demand smartphone charging network geared towards sports stadiums, large venues, events, and more. The company designs, manufactures, and operates autonomous vending kiosks, called Hoplite Hubs, that distribute universal, external smartphone chargers, which are known as Hoplites. Hoplites are rented directly from Hoplite Hubs and are compatible with most iPhone and Android devices. The Hubs have been engineered to dispense, reaccept, and recharge Hoplites automatically.

FAQ