Pedal-Powered Computer


Photo: OLPC


The One Laptop Per Child project (OLPC) hopes to distribute a simple but useful laptop computer to impoverished children in developing nations at a very low cost per unit. One recurring problem in the project has been power supply. So the Afghan IT company Paiwastoon has developed this prototype pedalling machine that allows the user to crank electricity into the computer.

Link via CrunchGear | Paiwastoon

It is a pity that the clockwork, hand-cranked generator did not work. I believe that the limiting factor for one-laptop-per-child will be one-generator-per-village.
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Developed nations have tried this kind of thing before. They give substandard equipment to developing nations, and the governments get fed up with being treated like children. These countries want to become rich like us, and they know that they wont meet that goal with this kind of technology.
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Widely available pedal powered sewing machines will be a better solution. Just attach an electric generator instead of the sewing machine.

I have used such a sewing machine by myself, and it beats a hometrainer easily.

One can actually do productive work - like sewing or in this case computing - while powering it.

And it still doubles as a sewing machine! Beat that!

Search Google for

pedal sewing machine

for more info.

Jan, Germany
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Matt - I think you might have missed the point of the One Laptop Per Child project (http://www.laptop.org/en/). It is a program to bring computers to the most remote regions of the world for the purpose of education. In an attempt to reach as many children as possible, costs have to be kept to a minimal. A laptop where you have to pedal is better than no laptop at all.
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The OLPC is a fantastic project. This is unacceptable. The idea that "substandard laptops are better than no laptops at all!" is a false argument. These laptops have a flaw and it needs to be addressed by OLPC.

Not only is this a ridiculous solution and a huge distraction; we would be loathe to accept this kind of equipment for our own kids. Why should it be acceptable for anyone else's child? Schools deserve tools that actually work, wherever they are.

An "at least they get to exorcise!" sentiment is roll-your-eyes worthy.
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It's not a problem with the tools, it's a problem with the infrastructure. The laptops work fine, but there is no battery on earth, even in developed nations, that lasts indefinitely. The issue is that billions of people are living without regular access to electricity (and clean food, water, medicine, etc.), not that the laptop program has flaws.
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