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Wireless Pedal Power Computing in Laos

Posted by Hemos on from the power-of-the-body dept.

An anonymous reader writes "'An innovative, pedal powered, wireless network provides Internet access to off-grid villages in Laos,' using LINUX-based software which is being localised into the Lao language. The 'Jhai Foundation's makes the Jhari computer, which consists of a single-board PC (the MZ-104 based upon the Mach-Z single-chip computer - equivalent to a 133 MHz 486 system), uses "embedded" circuit boards, the sort that are used in industrial equipment, and is devoid of moving parts such as fans or disc drives, made to operate for long periods of time without service or attention.'"

2 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. How about an army of mice? by brejc8 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Here is how I used a mouse to power an ARM based CPU. I cant see it taking a whole human to power a PC.
    Maybe they should use lower power chips?

    --
    Mouse powered Chips, Open source Processors and Lego
  2. Unstable supply (chips not power...;-) by mainr · · Score: 2, Informative

    ZFMicro (maker of the MachZ - now called the ZFx86 CPU) is currently involved in a lawsuit with National Semiconductor over National's commitment to act as silicon foundry for the ZF design. See http://www.zfmicro.com/pdf/InvBusDailyZFvsNSC.pdf

    From the article: "National had sales of $1.5 billion for the year ended May 27. ZF's Sales peaked at about $4 million in 2001 and have virtually ceased as a result of the dispute with National."

    Use of an embedded board based on this chip may prove to be less than prudent. Of course there are plenty of other embedded boards that will run Linux...