The Window Switch device that you stick to your window glass and gives you free electricity has been officially introduced.
Electricity prices are a major concern for people, and companies have started working on solutions to reduce consumption. Relying on non-renewable energy sources is a problem, but Kyuho Song and Boa Oh, graduates of the Samsung Institute of Design and Arts in Seoul, have designed a plug that you can place in any window.
The invention, presented at Dubai Design Week, promises to revolutionize the way devices connect to the electricity grid using a photovoltaic plug similar to portable solar batteries. The device, called Window Switch, attaches to windows with a suction cup and gets power thanks to an integrated solar panel that captures sunlight.
The window socket doesn't have any cables, just a suction cup on the part that sticks to the window next to the solar panel and a plug on the opposite end where you plug your devices into the power supply.
The photovoltaic plug fits in the palm of your hand and lets you plug in cell phones, computers or low-power devices. The project is promising, but the inventors say it can't fully charge a device, although it provides enough power to keep a light bulb lit for 20 hours.
- Battery capacity is the main challenge for Window Socket.
The 1000mAh window socket allows you to charge about 20% of your mobile phone battery thanks to solar energy, a solution for emergencies, places where access to the electrical grid is difficult or while traveling.
The problem with this device is that it needs between 5 to 8 hours of exposure to sunlight to fully charge its battery. It then transfers that energy to other devices connected to the network, although they do not support fast charging at the moment.
Window Switch is a pioneer in portable power generation innovations. Designers are working on solutions to improve charging speed and increase capacity to make it a viable product in the market.