Environment

Energy-harvesting SOCCKET ball kicks off on Kickstarter

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Uncharted Play's SOCCKET energy-generating soccer ball is on Kickstarter now
Uncharted Play's SOCCKET soccer ball
Charging-up the SOCCKET
Uncharted Play has tested the SOCCKET in resource-poor communites
Charging-up the SOCCKET
Uncharted Play is seeking to mass-produce the SOCCKET via a Kickstarter campaign
The Uncharted Play team with their patented design SOCCKET
Uncharted Play's vision for SOCCKET to reach resource-poor communties
The SOCCKET in use at night
Uncharted Play's SOCCKET energy-generating soccer ball is on Kickstarter now
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When we first covered the SOCCKET power-generating soccer ball back in 2010, the concept was in the prototype stages of development. Since then, the ex-Harvard University team responsible for the design has launched the for-profit social enterprise company Uncharted Play, filed patents for the SOCCKET’s kinetic energy-capturing technology and, more recently, has launched a SOCCKET Kickstarter campaign.

The SOCCKET is one of those simple-yet-effective ideas that takes something as basic and commonplace as a soccer ball and “bends it like Beckham” to the task of improving energy usage and the living conditions of those who really need it.

Designed and assembled in the U.S., the finalized product is made from water-resistant ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam that the makers say is soft and durable. Uncharted Play also says it doesn't need inflating, making it virtually deflation-proof, and weighs in at 17 oz (482 g) – only one ounce heavier than a regular size-five soccer ball. The added weight comes mostly from the charging device hidden inside.

The kinetic energy generated while having a good old kick-around with the SOCCKET is harnessed by a small pendulum-like mechanism inside the ball that turns a generator to charge a rechargeable battery. The stored energy can later be utilized in a completely off-grid way by plugging a goose neck-style LED lamp into the six watt output socket on the ball. The company claims that just 30 minutes of ball-play can power a simple LED lamp for up to three hours.

During the development of the SOCCKET, the Uncharted Play team has tested the ball’s energy-generating capabilities in places such as South America and Africa, which have many resource-poor communities (not to mention a fondness for the “World Game” itself.) According to the company's research, families within these communities often burn kerosene, wood fires and even diesel generators in and around their homes, which can be a dangerous and highly-toxic mix to themselves and the atmosphere.

The current Kickstarter project is seeking to raise funds to go to market with the SOCCKET, mass-producing it in the U.S. for export. See the video below for more details about the campaign.

At the time of writing, the Kickstarter campaign has raised just over US$32,000 out of the required $75,000. Making a pledge of $99 will snag you a SOCCKET ball and the accompanying LED lamp.

Source: Uncharted Play via Kickstarter

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3 comments
CliffG
Does the the ex-Harvard University team really think this product is going to improve energy usage or the living conditions of anyone compared to a more logical approach such as a shake flashlight or a hand-crank system. 18 wattminutes is not much return for $99.
Slowburn
It's a nifty sounding bad idea.
Ed
If you want to harness the power of children, get a bicycle with a generator...not as much fun, but far more efficient and *MUCH* cheaper too!