Hand-Powered Hardware?

quiddity writes "Following the Goofy USB Devices post, one has to know what can be self-powered when the batteries all die. You can handcrank your Gameboy, recharge your cellphone or pda (even grandpa), wind up a webserver (with minions, a beowulf..), see in the dark, and project a movie. What else can we propel through the next blackout/apocalypse?" Some of these devices have have been on Slashdot before; what cool hand-powered tech hasn't been and should be?

Comments

Freeplay

[amembleton]

Freeplay are a company that specialise in wind-up electronic toys including a mobile phone charger.

I have this radio, designed by Freeplay that has a wind-up charger and solar panel. Works on FM, MW, SW and LW with a 30 station memory. Its not bad, works well and with good sound quality. It also doesn't look dorky like some of their earlier models.

limitation

[thorgil]

A well-trained human body can produce around 100 W of motion effect for a couple of hours. (bicycle style)

So don't even think p4 ok?
maybe an via mini-itx or something ...without display.

Re:Universal Battery Replacement?

[benjamindees]

• bicycle
  
• electric motor
  
• package of various resistors
  
• diode(s)
  
• speaker wire
  
• basic electronics book/training
  

There isn't much you can't power with this type of setup.