01.jpgKerosene lamps are used for lighting millions of homes in developing nations, but
kerosene is expensive and dangerous. Without an integrated electricity grid, the
options for lighting and other power needs are very limited. That’s why a group
of Harvard students developed the Soccket, a soccer ball that leads a double life.
kerosene is expensive and dangerous. Without an integrated electricity grid, the
options for lighting and other power needs are very limited. That’s why a group
of Harvard students developed the Soccket, a soccer ball that leads a double life.
By day, it’s a toy for village children to play with. At just four ounces heavier than
a regulation ball, it feels very similar to playing with any other ball. But there’s
an important difference: the energy that kids put into their game is stored as
electricity in the ball
a regulation ball, it feels very similar to playing with any other ball. But there’s
an important difference: the energy that kids put into their game is stored as
electricity in the ball
When the game is over, each child brings his ball home. By night, an LED light
can be plugged into the ball to safely illuminate the home. The Soccket can also
be used to charge a cell phone, something that’s usually difficult and costly and
involves finding a pay-per-minute charging station in town.
Just 15 minutes of play can provide three hours of LED-powered light. The
Just 15 minutes of play can provide three hours of LED-powered light. The
students who developed the amazing ball are working on making it more
lightweight so that it weighs no more than a regular soccer ball.
Beta testing is still underway in Africa, where the team is improving the Soccket
Beta testing is still underway in Africa, where the team is improving the Soccket
for the 95% of Africans who live without access to grid electricity. Combining
playtime with energy generation is a brilliant idea that stands to change the
lives of millions of people in Africa and beyond
