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Foot-Powered Laptop
mrd98 writes: "There is an article in the Register about a U.S. developer who has created a foot-powered device which can be used to charge laptop batteries. Apparently 5 minutes of brisk pumping will give you 20 minutes of battery life, it can also be used to power most other electrical devices with a rechargable battery."
To go along with your foot-powered laptop, you might want to check out the Freecharge windup generator due out for Motorola cellphones this quarter. It won a Time Product of the Year citation.
"It remains to be seen if the human brain is powerful enough to solve the problems it has created." Dr. Richard Wallace
I'd have a hard time justifying $150 to recharge a battery with manual labor, when a spare battery can be bought for most devices for a lot less. (especially a cell phone, etc)
Besides, if i'm away from a power outlet of some sort for THAT long of a time, a nice break from the electronics is appreciated.
Some interesting research into human-powered computer systems has been done at MIT Media Lab. Here are some links:
Before you know it we'll all be wired for sound, uh MPEG-3. Stph
You couldn't generate power for free from vehicles passing along a road - the energy would have to come from somewhere. Any system you come up with would cause increased drag, killing fuel efficiency. Remember that little ol' law of thermodynamics - you can't get something for nothing.