Designed for sweltering afternoons at the beach, the new Beachill A-Zero folding mattress puts a comfy layer of foam between you and the hot sand. It also charges your smartphone with help from the pounding sun and keeps your beverages cool.
Few things in life are better than a day at the beach, but the Lebanese team behind the Beachill A-Zero found a few small issues with the overall beach experience. Spending time away from the grid can quickly mean dead phone batteries, and warm beverages. So they set out to create one simple accessory that solves those issues without requiring beachgoers to drag something like the Erovr across the sand carrying a full cooler and other gear.
Made from Dralon acrylic and designed to stand up to water and sunlight, the A-Zero mat includes a removable, wedge-shaped headrest with a 7-watt solar panel and internally routed USB charger. Beachill estimates a charging rate of one percent every three minutes, but that will vary based upon weather conditions. A zippered pocket holds the USB connection and also serves to keep small valuables tucked out of sight.
On the other side of the headrest, a zippered 2-liter (0.5 US gal) cooler gives you a place to store your drinks and keep them out of the heat. Beachill calls it a "thermo-fridge," but we verified that it's a non-powered cooler pouch.
In addition to beach use, the A-Zero could prove quite handy for camping trips, picnics, sporting events and more.
The four-panel (plus headrest) A-Zero folds up to 19 x 23.6 x 15.7 in (50 x 60 x 40 cm) and includes an integrated handle for easy carrying. It weighs 3.7 lb (1.7 kg) and the folding design also allows it to be adjusted to different lengths/cushioning levels.
Beachill is running a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo in order to raise the money it needs to ramp up production. The A-Zero starts at pledge levels of US$119, which Beachill estimates as 40 percent off retail. The company is also offering the A-Five folding solar-charging purse at pledge levels starting at $59. If all moves along as hoped, Beachill will begin backer deliveries in July, just in time for the heart of beach season in the Northern Hemisphere.
Source: Beachill
