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iRock: The power-generating rocking chair for iDevices

iRock: The power-generating rocking chair for iDevices
Rocking out in the iRock Rocking Chair recharges a connected iDevice and powers the chair's inbuilt speakers
Rocking out in the iRock Rocking Chair recharges a connected iDevice and powers the chair's inbuilt speakers
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The iRock Rocking Chair features an arm-mounted iPad dock
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The iRock Rocking Chair features an arm-mounted iPad dock
The iRock Rocking Chair features speakers built into the backrest
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The iRock Rocking Chair features speakers built into the backrest
The iRock Rocking Chair connects to iDevices via a 30-pin dock connector
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The iRock Rocking Chair connects to iDevices via a 30-pin dock connector
The iRock Rocking Chair connects to iDevices via a 30-pin dock connector
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The iRock Rocking Chair connects to iDevices via a 30-pin dock connector
The generator is located on the back of one of the iRock's rockers
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The generator is located on the back of one of the iRock's rockers
The iRock Rocking Chair harnesses the kinetic energy produced when rocking
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The iRock Rocking Chair harnesses the kinetic energy produced when rocking
The iRock Rocking Chair's inbuilt speakers
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The iRock Rocking Chair's inbuilt speakers
The iRock Rocking Chair is a relaxing and power-generating way to rock out
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The iRock Rocking Chair is a relaxing and power-generating way to rock out
Rocking out in the iRock Rocking Chair recharges a connected iDevice and powers the chair's inbuilt speakers
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Rocking out in the iRock Rocking Chair recharges a connected iDevice and powers the chair's inbuilt speakers
View gallery - 9 images

We’ve seen plenty of iPhone and iPad chargers that harness power from eco-friendly sources such as wind and solar (or both), but Zurich-based Micasa Lab has turned to a different, relatively (but not completely) untapped energy source to keep the juice flowing in iOS devices – the rocking chair. But the iRock Rocking Chair doesn’t just use the power generated via rocking back and forth to charge iOS devices, it also powers speakers built into the chair’s backrest.

Featuring the classic rocking chair design, the iRock is handmade from Swedish oak with five layers of paint providing a shiny finish. A generator on the back of one of the rockers harnesses the kinetic energy generated when rocking to charge an inbuilt battery that in turn powers the inbuilt speakers and/or recharges a connected iDevice. The makers claim an hour of rocking will recharge an iPad 3 to 35 percent battery capacity.

There’s also an arm-mounted iPad dock on the right-hand-side arm, so the connected device remains in the sitter’s line of sight while rocking. Owners of Android devices are currently out of luck with the iRock only sporting a 30-pin dock connector. However, Per from Micasa Lab says it shouldn’t be too much trouble to add support for Android devices with the chair likely to come with a series of plugs to fit a variety of mobile devices when released.

The iRock Rocking Chair features an arm-mounted iPad dock
The iRock Rocking Chair features an arm-mounted iPad dock

The chair itself measures 1.2 meters (3.9 ft) long and 1.15 meters (3.7 ft) high and weighs 18 kg (39.6 lb). It will come in a choice of five colors – white, black, green, blue or red – and is sure to be one of the most relaxing ways to rock out.

Micasa Lab is estimating the iRock will sell for €1,300 (US$1,685), with the company aiming for a late 2013 shipping date.

Source: iRock

View gallery - 9 images
6 comments
6 comments
Steve Lane
They are missing a trick here. Supply them to retirement homes and use the output of rocking grannies to supplement the national grid.
flink
I feel a hack coming on....
I'm not up to building a rocker from scratch, but I can manage a porch glider-swing and some sort of magnetic field/wire coil charging system! Springs, coils, and magnets... It's going to be a nice winter project for the spring!
Viator
Well, I always say that "green" or "sustainable" things must be expensive, inconvenient and uncomfortable. At least this idea negates two fo the three requirements.
Todd Dunning
Viator's right. Something that is green that is actually both usable, reasonable and logical.
Richardf
Quite impressive and so obviously over looked and not at all restricted to some warped niche market,
Pikeman
It would be nice to know how they convert the rocking motion into rotary motion.