S0ccket – Ball Electricity Generator

The s0ccket ball is a soccer/football that has been designed to take the energy of its movement and convert it into usable electrical energy.

The ball takes the energy of movement, by kicking it, passing it, throwing it about…you name it and converts it into electrical energy that is stored for later use. Using technology similar to that used in shake-to-charge devices the ball can help to power an LED light for up to 3 hours from around 15 minutes of the ball being played with. It can also be used to charge things such as mobile phones, but obviously would take a lot more play time to build up a reasonable amount of charge.

This may not sound like that much but in third world areas where lighting is often supplied with kerosene lamps it can make a big difference. Kerosene lamps are not only expensive to run but also pollute the air, helping to cause or exacerbate chest infections in children. By using the ball to power a LED lamp the children and their families get free, safe, green power to light their homes, and the children gain exercise and play.

The s0ccket ball currently weighs slightly more than regulation soccer/footballs, weighing a maximum of 1.31lb (where as a regulation ball weighs around 1lb) though the makers of the ball are currently working on reducing this weight difference. The ball’s movements may also be a little off due to the technology inside of it, still this difference is unlikely to cause many problems compared to the benefits it can provide in third world nations.

Source: Craziest Gadgets