Shake Control – Motion-Powered TV Remote Control
A group of designers (Lee Sung Hoon, Kang Sooyeon, Cho Eun Bee, Lee Junehwa and Kim Jean) have come up with a novel re-design of the beloved TV remote control. Exploiting the energy generated by a moving magnet within a coil, the remote control is powered by simply shaking the remote control. There is no need for a battery.
In a novel twist, you can point and shake the remote in a specific direction to change the channel or change the volume. The remote uses a gesture to determine what you’re trying to do. When the remote control is shaken, electromagnetic induction generates a 20-30mA current, which is enough to send the infra-red signals needed to get the TV to do something.
To determine which direction the remote is pointing, you simply look at the magnet through the transparent case. The magnet is used to indicate the gadget’s orientation. The novelty of changing the channel or volume by shaking the unit might wear off after a week though. You’ll probably end up throwing the remote at the TV!
Source: DesignZen
Your Comments
I keep seeing these eco designs that copy diy designer and do not give them credit. This idea originally came put in Make magazine awhile ago with step by step instructions.
This is also true with the wind up lamp concept.
Hi Dawn,
I think many ideas are borrowed from each other, and then ‘improved’ in some dimension… it’s hard to know who the original creator is, even these days.
Dan