HyDee targets battery limits with hydrogen, wins CES innovation award

Hi Lab has introduced HyDee, a portable, backpack-sized hydrogen fuel-cell power pack designed to replace conventional lithium-ion batteries in mobile and off-grid operations. Unveiled at CES 2026, HyDee aims to overcome the limitations of current battery technology, such as long charging times (around three hours) and limited operational ranges (approximately 40 kilometers). By using hydrogen fuel cells, HyDee eliminates charging delays, enabling extended operation and continuous mobility, particularly benefiting applications requiring daily ranges of 200 kilometers or more. This innovation targets outdoor, industrial, and emergency scenarios where electrical grid access is limited or unavailable. HyDee was recognized as an Honoree in the Sustainability & Energy Transition category of the 2026 CES Innovation Awards, underscoring its potential to reduce inefficiencies related to battery-powered systems, such as downtime, excess vehicle use, and energy consumption. While specific technical details like power output, refueling time, and hydrogen storage capacity have not been disclosed, Hy