In today’s digital world, keeping your electronics charged is a challenge for even the most prepared individuals. While battery packs can be helpful, they’re cumbersome, and users need to remember to keep them charged as well.
Uvolt is an analog watch which is designed to charge phones using solar power. What sets it apart from standard battery packs is that the power reserve fits seamlessly along the watch making it look more like a fashion accessory rather than a clunky piece of plastic.
The power reserve combines a custom circuit with a high-density lithium-ion battery. The device also has an integrated Lightning port for Apple devices, Micro USB or USB-C for Android devices, and it can also go completely wireless. The watch is covered with a sheet of anti-reflective mineral glass, while the watch hands have a minimal width to maximize the performance of the solar panel. One of the more notable features of Uvolt is the fact the bracelet is filled with batteries to add more capacity and recharge the reserve.
Uvolt is rated to provide five hours of talk time, three hours of internet browsing, and three hours of video streaming. It can be fully charged in 45 minutes using the included wireless charger, or in one sunny day via solar power. It has a battery capacity of 600 mAh, and an output/voltage current of DC 5v / 1,000 mAh. The solar panel is sized 37mm x 37mm x 1mm and has an efficiency of 21%.
The cabled power reserves have a discharge time of around 30 minutes while the wireless power reserve is around 45 minutes. It’s worth noting that there’s approximately 30% energy loss with the wireless power reserve.
So far the makers of Uvolt have raised over $72,000 towards their goal of raising $100,000 via crowdfunding. The estimated shipping date is June 2017 and pricing for the device starts at $119. In addition to crowdfunding the company has received resources through Centech and District3 which are two hardware accelerators.
Each Super Early Bird purchase includes a Uvolt watch, a power reserve of the user’s choice (Lightning / Micro USB / USB-C / Wireless), and a wireless charger. The suggested retail price for the device is $199, and it comes in four different colors: black, white silver, and rose gold.
- This Smart Home Sensor Auto-Adjusts Rooms To Who’s In Them - October 12, 2017
- Meet Sunu Band, The Wearable Helping the Blind Navigate Their Surroundings - August 21, 2017
- Powerful Startups: Ameren Accelerator’s 7 Latest Energy Innovation Inductees - August 4, 2017
I would like to see the battery supply up to three hours of video streaming. I just do not see that happen since a normal smartphone rarely offers that.
LOL, had to throw the “rose gold” option out there eh?
Analog watch? What is this 1998? I guess that is the only way you could possibly charge it without it losing power. If you were trying to charge a smartwatch with a power supply like this, it would not be happening.
Another random charger that is not going to bring enough power while I use power. I have read more and more about rechargeable batteries and having your device plugged in all the time cannot be good for the device, right?
Maybe, I just do not see the need to charge any device at such a slow speed.
are we just about done with everything solar powered yet? We are not going to get enough power compared to the power that is used by the device. the technology is nice, but the reality is just not there.