Seems like every so often, there’s a new gizmo that promises to save the earth while allowing people to indulge their inner tech geeks. This one, I’m actually glad to report, is no different.
The RollerGen iPhone charger was just named a finalist in the 2010 Greener Gadgets Design Competition. The product works by mounting a specialized rack on the bike, and a power storage unit (shaped like a bar of soap) harnesses the energy generated by the bike ride to charge two devices via USB ports.
A leisurely outing can generate 30 watts, a two-mile ride is enough to charge an iPhone, and a 30-minute trek fills up the pack. Nice. Biking enthusiasts-slash-über iPhone users will probably eliminate those dreaded “Low Battery” nags once and for all.
The iPhone has a notoriously short battery life, so having some options is not only good, but kind of necessary. (In fact, TiP is looking into a few right now, and will bring you the scoop on what’s available to power your pet gadget.)
Of course, this isn’t the first time someone has conceived of a human-powered energy solution, but I’ve yet to see one of these actually make some headway in the mass market.
And personally, I’d love to see a good one out there becoming more widespread. It’s good for the environment, good for battery life and great for those upper leg muscles — and that makes it a winner in my book.
But what do you think? If human-powered chargers become more available, would you nab one? If not, what are you looking for in an ideal solution? Weigh in below.
