Orange has announced their latest innovative charging device and this time it’s a T-shirt. The tee contains piezoelectric film that converts sound into an electrical charge.
Set to be tested at this year’s Glastonbury festival, with an average noise level of 80 dB, Orange say the weekend sound provide enough aural stimulation to charge even your smartphone.
The tee comes with exchangeable leads to make it compatible with most major phones, whilst the complicated innards can be removed to wash the tee itself. Inside, there’s an A4 panel of a modified film, typically found in speakers. This acts like a large, very flat, microphone that takes in the soundwaves around the wearer.
This is the latest left-field charging device from Orange, who last year brought rubber boots that could charge your phone by converting heat energy into electricity; it managed to grab a place in Time Magazine’s ‘50 Best Inventions of 2010’
Spotted earlier this year, a Korean concept phone took a different approach, using nano-technology to charge through the users’ voice.
The t-shirt is still in its developmental stage, but Glastonbury goers will be able to charge their phone at one of several ‘Chill ‘n’ Charge’ tents around the site.
Orange’s Head of Sponsorship at Orange UK, Andrew Pearcey, said: “In a vibrant festival environment such as Glastonbury, sound is such an obvious medium that it seemed like a natural fit to use it in the development of this year’s prototype.
“We envisage that this pioneering technology could really change the face of mobile charging in environments where eco charging solutions need to be found. It could even influence trends in fashion, with designers looking to integrate this passive charging solution into clothing.”
We’re gearing up for fetivals this week and have picked the top essential gadgets for festivals.
Here’s a video from Orange, explaining a bit more. They even have an energy expert!
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