BRIGHT Products has created a new solar-powered lamp with the intended goal of bringing more light to developing nations. Not only that, the lamp can be used as a mobile phone charger through the built-in micro USB cord.
The designers' main objective is to replace harmful kerosene lamps used for light in many developing nations. With that in mind, they designed the device to be versatile enough for all kinds of household uses. It can be used a hanging lamp, a portable flashlight, and a desktop light.
According to BRIGHT products, it will take eight to ten hours of sunlight for the device to receive a full charge. Once charged, the light can run for 50 hours on low, eight hours on medium, and four hours on high. Obviously, charging a cell phone through BRIGHT will decrease its operating time.
The BRIGHT lamp has a bendable neck which allows it to be more versatile in the ways it's used, and it gives users the ability to make sure the solar panel is pointed directly at the sun while charging.
The three-meter (3.28-yard) micro USB cable is tucked inside the solar panel. When a user wishes to charge their phone using BRIGHT, he or she simply unwraps the cable and plugs in his or her phone.
For camping trips where access to electricity isn't an issue, the device can also be charged using DC or AC power. If a user is taking the device on a camping trip on a cloudy day, this could certainly come in handy. This feature was obviously not intended for developing nations, as the whole reason they need this lamp is because they are without electricity.
BRIGHT Products is now seeking US$50,000 in production funds, via Indiegogo. To see a lamp donated through BRIGHT's relationship with CARE Norway, which is the group helping to distribute the lamps to developing nations, a $50 pledge is required. For users interested in purchasing a lamp for themselves, a pledge of $100 will do the trick.
Other solar-powered lamps designed for use in developing nations include the Little Sun, Solar Pebble, LuminAID, WakaWaka, and N100.
The following video from BRIGHT Products does a great job of showing its lamp in action.
Source: Indiegogo