In poverty-stricken regions, residents with limited resources often have to wait years for electricity to reach their area. One organization aims to address the real-world issue with Soccket, a soccer ball that harnesses energy.
Soccket stores the kinetic energy built up while you play using a pendulum-like mechanism. Thirty minutes of kicking around can power an LED lamp for three hours. Check out the video, above, to see how it works.
The ball is slightly heavier than a standard soccer ball but doesn't need to be inflated, nor does it puncture in rough terrain. Its exterior is made of water-resistant foam and comes with a single bulb lamp.
Currently, Soccket is being used in rural off-grid areas of Mexico and disadvantaged areas of the United States. Uncharted Play, the organization behind the product, is looking to raise $75,000 on Kickstarter to bring the ball to the market.
The organization has already created prototype energy-tracking devices and emergency cellphone chargers to connect to Soccket, but will only offer them if their stretch goal of $150,000 is met.
What do you think of Soccket? Let us know in the comments.
Image courtesy of Uncharted Play