From Red Ferret: “A huge part of this planet exists without access to reliable electricity, which doesn’t just mean no access to computers and other tools, but a lack of even the most basic of necessities such as cheap lighting. Most of these places still rely on kerosene lamps, which are smelly, polluting and expensive to run. There are some superb initiatives happening around the world at the moment to solve the problem, and we think this new project could be a real winner if it takes off as hoped.”
“The GravityLight (featured in the video above) uses a clever belt and pulley system to generate light through the force of gravity. The idea is for the user to pull a bag up to generate enough energy for short periods of light. Because it uses ultra low power LED bulbs, this could mean up to 30 minutes of light for a quick 3 second hoist. It’s much cheaper than solar (which needs batteries to store the sun’s power) and easier to maintain than other more complex devices.”
Everything old is new again. We used to have clocks which ran on the same force. Why not invent a wind up light?
There is one – we use it camping and our wind-up radio sometimes as well…cheers.
How about 100 steroid-enhanced, 300-pound hamsters in a treadmill?
I have a hunch the homes of the intended customers for this gravity light aren’t large enough to accommodate your device.
Actually, mine isn’t either. Maybe Boeing would like your idea.
Here is another solution worth looking into. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBWi3NtND68
Thanks, Alan. I featured the solar coke bottle lights last summer on CD!
LED lights and cell phones…two huge impacts on rural productivity.
I work in a rural area of Thailand. A cell phone can saves hours in a week in communicating changes to drivers, suppliers, etc. The smartphone allows even more hours to be saved in locating phone numbers, markets etc.
The LED headlamp makes outdoor night work practical. Many Thai farmers and others now extend their workday by an hour when need be.
“The LED headlamp makes outdoor night work practical. Many Thai farmers and others now extend their workday by an hour when need be.”
And with these gravity lights they can work all night.
Perhaps something to make their daylight hours more productive would improve their standard of living more than lights allowing them to work longer hours.
this is dangerous maybe. we should regulate it.
Yes – and maybe institute a gravity tax.
If too many devices use gravity as a power source… the planet might run out, and we would all float into outer space.
We need to be careful about things like this!
Peak gravity? Who knew?
This should be promoted to hunters, fishermen, campers, and hikers to help increase the chance of increased funding for research and development. The profits from these individuals could help lower the cost for the third world market.
Lee
I’m not sure any of the potential users you mention would be interested in something they have to “wind” every 30 minutes in place of something like their already inexpensive propane lanterns which can be used for many hours.
Do the math. The thing generates very little power. Not enough to light much more than the lamp itself.