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Power Scheme for OLPC Project Falling Into Place

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the pulling-for-pleasure-says-george-carlin dept.

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.

14 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. Great by tweek · · Score: 5, Funny

    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 ;)
    --
    "Fighting the underpants gnomes since 1998!" "Bruce Schneier knows the state of schroedinger's cat"
    1. Re:Great by tktk · · Score: 5, Funny
      You underestimate the power of porn.

      Geeks will always have one massive forearm.

  2. I want one! by QuantumFTL · · Score: 4, Interesting

    These machines are actually starting to sound like something some people in the US might even like. I can imagine sitting outside in some remote area, working as much as I like without even worrying about running out of batteries (and getting exercise at the same time).

    What'd I'd really like to see is an inexpensive laptop which has a screen that's highly visible, even outdoors. I could get a lot of work done that way, and work on my tan at the same time. Does anyone know of any? I'd assume it'd work best with grayscale.

    1. Re:I want one! by Fusione · · Score: 5, Informative

      What you're asking about is transflective lcd displays. Basically, a semi transparent mirror is placed right behind the lcd panel, with the backlight and backlight substrate behind it. So the traditional ccfl backlight shines through (at reduced efficiency) AND ambient light is reflected back out through the screen by the mirror. Look at any decent pocket pc, and you'll see this technology at work. So screens that can be read without any backlight do exist, and there are some notebooks that incorperate the tech.. but you won't find them at the local electronics depot. I haven't looked into them in a long while, but check out the panasonic toughbooks. I remember they used to have transflective options for this series of notebooks!

    2. Re:I want one! by Duwke · · Score: 3, Informative

      I've seen the "view-anywhere" screens on the motion computing tablets, and it's quite impressive. If you ever have a chance to play with one, definitely check it out. http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/promotions _view_anywhere.asp#vad

  3. Solar Cells? by digitaldc · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I am not sure if something like this is powerful enough or even cost-effective, but what about solar cell technology to power these laptops?
    Was this even considered?

    --
    He who knows best knows how little he knows. - Thomas Jefferson
    1. Re:Solar Cells? by SnarfQuest · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Ok, $30 for something that can temporely power a cell phone. Assume 4X for the power requirements of the $100PC, giving a $120 to power the PC.

      Ok, after spening $120 for the solar cells, how much is left over for the $100 PC?

      Or, if you decide to only use 3 of these cells (for $90), you have $10 for the rest of the PC. I'm sure that can make a useful PC for less than the cost of a cheap calculator.

      Heck, 1 of these is almost 1/3 the price of the entire $100 PC. And then it will only work during clear daylight hours. If you add batteries for continuous work, then you will have to leave your PC out in the sun when you go to work. Good opportunity for someone to collect up several of these (theft) sitting out in the open. Even if the theif only got $1.00 for each one of these he stole, that is still *very* good money in many of the countries being targeted, where the average wage is often less than $40 per year (less than $1.00/week).

      --
      Who would win this election: Andrew Weiner vs Andrew Weiner's weiner.
    2. Re:Solar Cells? by Surt · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Probably not ...

      1) Doesn't work in the dark.
      2) Expensive (that little one, only powerful enough to charge a cell phone battery, $30 ... this is the $100 laptop).

      --
      "Who is the Journal of Quantum Physics going to believe?" --Stephen Hawking
    3. Re:Solar Cells? by brunson · · Score: 4, Funny

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

      --
      09F911029D74E35BD84156C5635688C0
      Jesus loves you, I think you suck
  4. Open Popular Mechanics by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The best mechanical coupling design would have a open interface. A rotating bolt that can take the pullcord attachment, or a sewing machine pedal cam, or a bicycle tire clip, or a homemade windmill/waterwheel/goatwheel, or any mechanical rotation.

    Then include in its desktop a link to a blog for new powerup inventions worldwide. Necessity is the mother of invention, and local materials the father. Give these kids a way to improve and share, and we'll all get the benefits of their unique insights. What better way to harness the power of global kids?

    --

    --
    make install -not war

  5. Profit? by Red+Flayer · · Score: 3, Funny
    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!
    --
    "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
  6. Aha! At last the GET-RICH scheme is revealed... by bratwiz · · Score: 5, Funny


    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!!! :)

  7. But you can own your very own... by 4solarisinfo · · Score: 5, Informative
    Don't forget boys and girls, You too can own what is sure to become the ultimate geek accessory and make a charitable donation all in one fell swoop. Sign up now to donate $300, recieve one computer, and know you've sent two where they are needed.

    http://www.pledgebank.com/100laptop

    Well, maybe you can own one, but your only chance of getting one in the US is probably to sign the pledge to convince everyone it's a viable solution.

  8. Re:Do they really need a computer by Ksevio · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Well you know the old saying about the man and the fish.

    Sure you can give them food and water, but if you also try and get them computers to learn then they might be able to pull future generations out of poverty and improve the overall living conditions of everyone in the area.