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Orange's wind-powered mobile charger

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Orange does its best to make the most of its association with the Mother of All Festivals, Glastonbury.


Three years ago it was the tent with a solar panel that charges your mobile (don't tell them, but this is the tent I still use today).

Two years ago, they came up with the 'Text-Me Tent', which raised a flag when you sent it a text message, so you can find your way home no matter how 'glastered' you are.


Last year? There was no Glastonbury Festival last year, dummy.


But they've made the most of a fallow year by brainstorming for something that will actually work when the heavens open and the inevitable thunderstorm hits Pilton: behond the Mobile Wind Charger.


They commissioned the University of Texas to design the prototype wind-powered portable phone charger. If you do go to Glasto, you'll probably see one working in the VIP area, while you're queueing for 6 hours to charge your mobile in the Orange charge-up zone. See you there...


BTW, you can watch our video roundup of festival gadgets here.

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Published Thursday, June 14, 2007 14:48 by Tom Dunmore

University Update June 14, 2007 19:18

hybrid_snyper June 15, 2007 02:03

thats genius, its funny, tent manufactures should incorporate micro generation into all tents as a way of keeping our techy stuff operating.

Tom Dunmore June 15, 2007 06:35

Just had an email from the creators:

"I am actually the guy who made the prototype of the Orange wind charger for the Glastonbury festival, and it works…

I estimate it would take 24 hours in a 12 mph wind speed to fully charge the control box's rechargeable batteries. This would be adequate to charge a typical modern mobile phone completely, from empty.

Orange has commissioned a Texas University to undertake research, which has taken many months without any product except a few vague renderings of a 12 blade ‘down wind’ turbine design, image attached.

I produced a working model for the festival within 4 weeks, (hard work) please take a moment to view my page."

http://www.gotwind.org/Orange_Wind_Generator.htm

Tom W June 27, 2007 11:38

I had a butcher's at one of these down at Glasto in Orange's hospitality area. Despite the rain, it wasn't hugely windy but in the time it took me to quaff some beers and a burger the charger was spinning away quite happily. Only problem seems to be the lack of a way to secure the thing to your tent. It'd be all too easy for a hippy indulging in some high jinks to have it away.

Music Stuff June 28, 2007 16:35

Bluetooth wellies and a waterproof GPS poncho might be a long way off yet, but that didn’t stop me teching up for Glasto 2007

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