Power Scheme for OLPC Project Falling Into Place

robotrachel writes "According to Technology Review, the $100 laptop intended for children in the developing world will be powered in much the same way that you might start an outboard motor on a boat. The new power system will 'make the laptop much easier to power than it would be with a hand crank, in part, because the users will be able to operate the generator in a variety of ways, including holding the device (the size of two hockey pucks) in one hand and pulling the string with the other, or clamping the generator to a desk, attaching the string to one foot, and using leg power.'" There are plenty of sewing machine treadles in the world, too -- I hope someone can figure out a way to combine them with the new design.

Comments

Great

[tweek]

There are plenty of sewing machine treadles in the world, too -- I hope someone can figure out a way to combine them with the new design.

The next generation of geek will have massive calfs and thighs instead of a single massive forearm ;)

Re:Great

[tktk]

You underestimate the power of porn.

Geeks will always have one massive forearm.

Re:Great

[rHBa]

RSI 2.0 for the WEB 2.0

Yo-yo

[bobs666]

Make the string the power coord and you could have a yo-yo.

Fun and power.

Profit?

[Red Flayer]

There are plenty of sewing machine treadles in the world, too -- I hope someone can figure out a way to combine them with the new design.

That gives me an idea -- I'm going to ride the technology wave by converting all the 8-year-old sewing-machine-treadle-operators in my sweatshops into 8-year-old server-farm-power-treadle-treadlers.

To anyone who objects, please note that this is a carbon-neutral technology and therefore won't contribute to global warming except for the hot air from 'activists.' The Free Market -- gotta love it!

Power... POWER!

[mobby_6kl]

[..] or clamping the generator to a desk, attaching the string to one foot, and using leg power."

Why not just attach the string to an electric motor? That way the legs/feet would be free to operate the rudder pedals.

Aha! At last the GET-RICH scheme is revealed...

[bratwiz]

Aha! At least the get-rich scheme is revealed... hook them on pull-string laptops and then sell them replacement strings when the string breaks... ingenious! My hat's off to you Nicholas Negroponte!!! :)

Re:Solar Cells?

[brunson]

Plus, it involves geeks going out into the sunlight. I, for one, don't want to lose my unhealthy pallor.

Re:Just out of curiosity

[indifferent children]

did they even talk to any potential end users of this device?

Yeah, they tried asking a user who had never seen a computer before to type up a set of requirements, and make some simple OS choices. Those ingrates were totally unhelpful.