Smartphone users who are always on the go are usually faced with the problem of a low or dead battery. The problem was somehow solved with the popularity of portable batteries and power banks. But these gadgets also had the tendency to run out of juice since they also needed cables and power to be charged. The solar-powered Uvolt watch could be the solution to this common problem.
The Uvolt analog watch has a high-density battery that makes use of the power of the sun to recharge. It measures a mere 37 x 37 x 1 mm but comes with a 600 mAh battery pack that can be partially recharged in 45 minutes or charged fully in one day, according to Digital Trends. Once fully charged, the solar-powered smart watch is compatible with most phones as it has various connectors for both Android or Apple devices.
The solar-powered Uvolt watch was developed by Antony Diaz of Montreal. It started as a prototype for a high school science project until they saw the commercial viability of the project. Diaz teamed up with Marc-Antoine Bonin in 2016 and they started to raise funds for the business. They also got the help of a North American industrial firm to help them with mass production of the product.
"We saw the potential, and wanted to transform it into more than a science project," Diaz said. "We believe design is as important as how it works. When you have a solid structure, beauty falls in place just like gravity."
Diaz said the goal was to create a sleek watch that people can use not just as a watch but also a device to charge their phones. The solar-powered Uvolt watch does not require a cable because its power bank has a built-in port. It is also a testimony that clean wearable technology can be produced with the use of clean energy.
The people behind the solar-powered Uvolt watch turned to Kickstarter to get the necessary funding for the business. The plan is to improve on the design of the watch once they achieve $175,000, according to Kickstarter. With that amount, they plan to add a finger-activated LED indicator that will display the watch battery level.
The first edition of the solar-powered Uvolt watch will come in classy colors of rose gold, silver, black and white. A Kickstarted Special will be made available for those who just want to try a single watch for $100 but it already comes with a wireless charger and power server. The Duo Edition for $190 comes with two watches while the Family Edition for $360 comes with four watches. The watch will be shipped to customers beginning December 2017.
