Waveworks: Low-power, High-Impact Wireless
In a world increasingly defined by data, the ability to transmit information efficiently without draining power or resources has become one of the defining challenges of modern technology. WaveWorks, a Seattle based deep tech company spun out of the University of Washington, is tackling that challenge head on. The company is pioneering standard protocol backscatter, a breakthrough communication technology that enables devices to send richer datasets using a fraction of the energy required by conventional radios.
Founded with a mission to build the essential hardware building blocks for ultra-low energy wireless connectivity, WaveWorks is developing chips, modules, and gateways that deliver more data with less power. Their innovations are poised to redefine what’s possible across industries from industrial IoT and defense to wearables, manufacturing, and smart infrastructure by breaking the long standing tradeoff between sensor data quality and battery life.
At the helm is Dr. Aaron Parks, Co-Founder and CEO, who also co-invented the core technology underpinning the company’s products. With a background that bridges advanced research and practical engineering, Parks leads the company’s vision to turn cutting-edge wireless science into deployable, real-world solutions.
In this Q&A, Dr. Parks discusses the origins of WaveWorks, how their backscatter technology redefines wireless communication, and the broader implications for industries that rely on continuous, reliable, and energy-efficient sensing. He also shares insights on the role of SBIR grants in innovation and how partnerships like NW Tech Bridge are helping companies bring transformative technologies to market.
Q. Tell us about the founding of WaveWorks and your role as Co-Founder and CEO.
WaveWorks was founded to commercialize a foundational new wireless communication technology – standard protocol backscatter — developed at the University of Washington. Our mission is to develop the building blocks for ultra-low-energy wireless connectivity; chips, modules, and gateways that enable “more data with less power.” As both a co-inventor of the core technology behind WaveWorks’ products, as well as co-founder and CEO of the company, I am focused on translating this deep technical foundation into real-world products and partnerships, leading both technical direction and commercial strategy as we move from prototype systems to scalable deployments.
Q. The technology uses “backscatter” to increase data transmission with less power. What are the key benefits of this approach for clients, and how does it overcome the limitations of traditional sensors?
Conventional radios emit their own energy to communicate, which creates a hard floor on power consumption requirements. WaveWorks’ backscatter approach reflects existing energy instead—like using a signal mirror instead of a flashlight—reducing radio power requirements by up to 99.9%. This enables our customers to deploy sensors that continuously stream richer datasets without being constrained by battery life. It eliminates the long-standing tradeoff between data quality and longevity that limits today’s wireless sensors, unlocking higher-resolution insight for industrial monitoring, wearables, and smart infrastructure.
Q. What message would you like to share with other entrepreneurs who are considering pursuing an SBIR grant?
SBIR grants can be a powerful catalyst for technical validation and early market traction, especially for deep tech startups where proof of feasibility is critical. Some ideas aren’t a fit for the venture funding model on square one, but still can have considerable impact and deserve to exist in the world. The SBIR program is how the federal government helps seed the technology ecosystem. I’d encourage entrepreneurs to consider SBIR programs not just as a funding mechanism, but as a way to align R&D with customer and government needs early on.
Q. What kind of real-world impact do you expect this technology to have on industries like defense, manufacturing, and maintenance?
Our technology enables dense, continuous sensing networks without the logistical burden of frequently charging or replacing batteries. In manufacturing and defense, that means real-time visibility into system health, predictive maintenance with far richer data streams, and improved uptime for critical assets. Far more data from a practically deployable, long-lived sensor means far AI training and inference outcomes / analytical insight. The level of data coverage we can provide was previously impractical with conventional sensors due to power cost of conventional wireless communications.
Q. How is eliminating battery constraints significant for the end user, and what new possibilities does it open up for sensor deployment?
Eliminating or extending battery life changes the economics and scalability of wireless sensing. It allows sensors to be placed wherever data is needed—inside equipment housings, on moving parts, or across large facilities—without worrying about accessibility or maintenance cycles. For end users, this means continuous monitoring, safer environments, and smarter infrastructure that can operate autonomously for years.
Q. With WaveWorks’ technology offering up to a 99.9% reduction in power consumption compared to conventional radios, what new engineering and design challenges are you now able to solve for your clients that were previously not possible?
Backscatter lets engineers break the battery bottleneck that has long constrained wireless design. We can now support continuous, high-resolution data streaming from compact, low-cost sensors that were once limited to intermittent sampling. This enables entirely new categories of devices—self-sustaining wireless peripherals, deeply embedded industrial sensors, and intelligent packaging—that deliver real-time insight without requiring large batteries or frequent maintenance.
Q. How has NW Tech Bridge supported WaveWorks in its journey to commercialization? How could this support be advantageous to tech startups?
NW Tech Bridge has been instrumental in connecting WaveWorks with defense-focused stakeholders and commercialization pathways, helping us align our low-power wireless platform with defense priorities. Their ecosystem offers both technical validation and access to potential pilot opportunities, which is especially valuable for startups bridging the gap between research and deployment. For deep-tech founders, that kind of structured access and mentorship accelerates not just funding, but real-world adoption.
As industries increasingly rely on connected devices to drive efficiency and insight, WaveWorks is redefining the boundaries of low-power wireless communication. By leveraging advanced backscatter technology to dramatically reduce energy use, the company is making scalable, always-on sensing a practical reality. Its adaptable platform promises broad impact across defense, manufacturing, and smart infrastructure. Supported by NW Tech Bridge, WaveWorks exemplifies how strategic partnerships can accelerate the transition from laboratory innovation to real-world application—paving the way for a new era of intelligent, self-sustaining systems built for the connected world ahead.