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Self-Powered Parts Are the Future

Posted by timothy on from the just-make-the-factory-self-powering dept.

bossanovalithium writes that an umbrella group including Japanese heavyweights like Panasonic and Toyota is working on bringing the price of self powered parts down to levels where they can be mass produced: "The idea is that the parts will make external power sources redundant — because they can convert energy from body heat, light and vibrations straight into electricity. Self powered electronics have already sporadically been used in technology like wall-mount remote control units for air conditioners, says Nikkei, but existing parts are bulky and cost a couple thousand yen a piece. 3,000 yen is about $35 — which means they're not the best bet, financially, yet."

4 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. all hail the future by golden+age+villain · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can't wait to see all the iPhone 5 owners shaking their phones to power them all the while gripping them with two fingers to keep a decent reception. This is exactly how I envisioned the future.

    1. Re:all hail the future by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      actually, that sounds like an awesome future! imagine walking the streets of new york surrounded by a constant disco rave

    2. Re:all hail the future by maxwell+demon · · Score: 2, Funny

      On the positive side, people suffering from Parkinson disease will never experience an empty battery.

      --
      The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
    3. Re:all hail the future by davester666 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Alternately, you use the phone's flash to trigger an epileptic seizure and then insert phone into epileptic's pocket...

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!