We’ve seen plenty of iPhone and iPad chargers that harness power from eco-friendly sources such as wind and solar (or both), but Zurich-based Micasa Lab has turned to a different, relatively (but not completely) untapped energy source to keep the juice flowing in iOS devices – the rocking chair. But the iRock Rocking Chair doesn’t just use the power generated via rocking back and forth to charge iOS devices, it also powers speakers built into the chair’s backrest.
Featuring the classic rocking chair design, the iRock is handmade from Swedish oak with five layers of paint providing a shiny finish. A generator on the back of one of the rockers harnesses the kinetic energy generated when rocking to charge an inbuilt battery that in turn powers the inbuilt speakers and/or recharges a connected iDevice. The makers claim an hour of rocking will recharge an iPad 3 to 35 percent battery capacity.
There’s also an arm-mounted iPad dock on the right-hand-side arm, so the connected device remains in the sitter’s line of sight while rocking. Owners of Android devices are currently out of luck with the iRock only sporting a 30-pin dock connector. However, Per from Micasa Lab says it shouldn’t be too much trouble to add support for Android devices with the chair likely to come with a series of plugs to fit a variety of mobile devices when released.
The chair itself measures 1.2 meters (3.9 ft) long and 1.15 meters (3.7 ft) high and weighs 18 kg (39.6 lb). It will come in a choice of five colors – white, black, green, blue or red – and is sure to be one of the most relaxing ways to rock out.
Micasa Lab is estimating the iRock will sell for €1,300 (US$1,685), with the company aiming for a late 2013 shipping date.
Source: iRock
