Solar Head-Phones That Can Charge Mobiles Invented

One of the most distressing things about smartphones is the battery. There have been many speculations about harnessing solar power to charge and run smart-phones but it has so far remained to be stuff of science fiction. However, looks like the dream to power your smartphone with solar energy has finally come true. 

And what’s better? The “charger” is nothing but your headphones! So that means mobiles can be charged using solar energy on the go. 

Designed by a firm in the UK, the head-phones harness solar energy to power smartphones and gadgets while on the move. The head-phones which can be worn as a band around the head come fitted with solar panels which use 0.55 watts of power for charging. The solar-cell is flexible so the headphone can mould to different head-shapes easily, just like regular headphones. 

The energy thus generated will be stored in two lithium-ion batteries behind the ear-cups. The batteries will be light-weight and will also help balance out the weight of the headphones. The headphones feature a lightweight and fully adjustable folding headband with custom developed ear-pads to ensure a comfortable fit for hours of gaming and music.

Designed by Andrew Anderson, the device has been named ‘On-Beat’ headphones and have been launched as a pilot project. The project is already up on kick-starter and are expected to go on sale sometime in 2014. Talking of the project, Anderson said, "The headphones have an integrated flexible solar cell that covers the full headband which capture solar energy whilst out and about.” 

What about the quality of the head-phones? Will the quality be comprised in a bid to double up the head-phones as a charger also? On Kick-starter Anderson says, “From the offset we not only wanted to develop a product to keep your devices going all day, but a product that would give you a superb sound from low range for bass, mid-range for precision DJ'ing and high range for vocal and acoustic excellence. The headphones also have an integrated remote for controlling the volume of the music in your ears. “

Additionally, the headphones can also be charged via USB cord in times of low-sunlight or during the night. While Anderson requires about 200,000 pounds to begin production and the project on Kickstart is already buzzing. Priced at a little over 100 pounds, the headphones are definitely expensive. But think up on all the electricity bills you’ll save and the head-phones seem like a sound investment!