Soccket soccer ball generates power while playing

© Unexplored game

We write about piezoelectric generators every now and then, like the sneakers that can power your gadgets or the kinetic energy harvesting sidewalks or the wave-powered speakers that allow us to communicate with the dolphins, all of which generate power. energy from movement. Another good example of this type of energy harvesting is the Soccket: a soccer ball that generates energy from play.

The Soccket, made by Uncharted Play, is made from a durable, water-resistant material that never needs inflation. Inside, it contains a gyroscope mechanism that captures the energy of all the rolling and bouncing that occurs during a football game and stores it in a battery. The Soccket has an output power of six watts which can then power small appliances and devices such as lamps, cell phones, fans, water sterilizers and hot plates.

With just 30 minutes of playtime, the Soccket can provide three hours of lamp light.

© Unexplored game

In developing countries, the Soccket is able to provide families with a source of energy for lighting and cooking instead of kerosene lamps and wood stoves which cause indoor pollution and many health problems for them. those who use them. And it gives children an outlet for play which has the added benefit of bringing in something good for the family.

In the developed world, the Soccket can be a great tool for teaching clean energy and a better way to recharge our gadgets.

The energy harvesting ball has already won numerous innovation awards and has been recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative and at TED conferences. Uncharted Play is now working on a new ball called Ludo that “logs the time you spend playing with it and wirelessly uploads your game data to The Play Fund, Uncharted Play’s new online donation platform.” With Ludo and The Play Fund, your play time is converted into currency which can be used to donate real world items to support social projects.

The Ludo is slated for launch in 2013.