Imagine being able to power your smartphone while you run? Thanks to an ingenious device developed by three US engineering PhD graduates from Northwestern University, you can.
AMPY uses the energy created during your running to develop kinetic energy that can be transformed into battery power for smartphones, smartwatches, and wearable devices.
The pocket-sized device is designed to turn motion into power: most recently, three runners in the Chicago Marathon ran using prototypes of the AMPY. Between them, they burned 8,600 calories and generated over 40 hours of battery life for their smartphones.
The kinetic energy is generated by the running motion: the more bouncy a runner, the more energy you’ll accumulate. “The beauty of AMPY is that the more energy you put in, the more you get out; the same goes for running faster,” says Alex Smith, co-founder and chief product officer.
“It also depends on the placement of the device on your body. It can be worn on the arm, on the hip or on your shorts. But I’m a heel-striker and I’ve found that I generate a lot of energy if I wear it just below the knee.”
A companion smartphone app lets users track energy generated, calories burned and hours of smartphone or smartwatch battery life. Users can compare their stats with friends and other AMPY users and can share their progress on Twitter and Facebook to stay charged and motivated.
To take it from prototype to manufacture, the company recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $100,000: they reached their target within 72 hours. “It’s really exciting for us with the help of the Kickstarter community to bring the product to manufacture,” said Alex.
AMPY says its power generation capacity greatly exceeds current market standards for kinetic chargers. The company’s proprietary and patent-pending inductor technology enables the small device to capture and store about a week’s worth of motion-generated energy. Existing kinetic chargers capable of generating and storing this amount of energy would require a device three times the size and weight of AMPY.
The first consumer versions of the product are likely to hit in June 2015. The AMPY will be priced $95, although it will be $85 for those who pledged money through Kickstarter.
“Active users typically produce enough energy in a day to add an additional three hours of battery life to their smartphone or a full day of battery life to their smartwatch. Using AMPY can offset the carbon footprint of your smartphone,” said Tejas Shastry, founder and CEO of AMPY. “We envision a future where smartwatches and fitness trackers power themselves entirely from your movement. You never have to plug in.”
To view more about the project and to get your own AMPY, click here
