It's funny how our mobile devices are anything but mobile when they run low on battery. Instead, we're stuck plugging gadgets into a wall outlet and waiting for them to juice up. But now a Pittsburgh, Pa. startup has designed a creative solution for this #FirstWorldProblem that can even help the developing world.
Energy harvesting startup SolePower created a shoe insole prototype that charges portable electronics while you walk, as explained in the video above. This special shoe sole fits in your shoe and a charging wire snakes through your laces. The charging wire plugs into a battery, which is fastened around your ankle or clipped to your shoe.
As you walk, the energy from your steps are turned into electrical power that's stored in the battery. The battery can then be plugged into portable electronic devices like cell phones, radios and GPS units. Right now, the sole prototype is rated to last 100 million steps. The goal is to have the soles fully charge an iPhone with 2.5 miles of walking.
SolePower began as a design project at Carnegie Mellon University and the team is now continuing development through Pittsburgh-based startup incubator AlphaLab. The startup hopes to help those in developing nations through a buy-one-send-one program. It's not exactly a TOMS Shoes model, but SolePower would allow someone in the U.S. buy two insoles and send one of those to someone in need abroad.
SolePower is trying to raise $50,000 on Kickstarter to further develop their prototype and help finalize a product. With still 40 days left to go in the campaign, backers have already pledged more than $13,700. A limited number of backers who pledge at least $100 can be among the first to get the SolePower insole.
Energy harvesting startup SolePower created a shoe insole prototype that charges portable electronics while you walk, as explained in the video above. This special shoe sole fits in your shoe and a charging wire snakes through your laces. The charging wire plugs into a battery, which is fastened around your ankle or clipped to your shoe.
As you walk, the energy from your steps are turned into electrical power that's stored in the battery. The battery can then be plugged into portable electronic devices like cell phones, radios and GPS units. Right now, the sole prototype is rated to last 100 million steps. The goal is to have the soles fully charge an iPhone with 2.5 miles of walking.
SolePower began as a design project at Carnegie Mellon University and the team is now continuing development through Pittsburgh-based startup incubator AlphaLab. The startup hopes to help those in developing nations through a buy-one-send-one program. It's not exactly a TOMS Shoes model, but SolePower would allow someone in the U.S. buy two insoles and send one of those to someone in need abroad.
SolePower is trying to raise $50,000 on Kickstarter to further develop their prototype and help finalize a product. With still 40 days left to go in the campaign, backers have already pledged more than $13,700. A limited number of backers who pledge at least $100 can be among the first to get the SolePower insole.
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