Charting the future of cell phone technology, Kyocera recently unveiled a kinetic energy-powered phone that is capable of folding up like a wallet. Designed by industrial designer Susan McKinney, the EOS phone consists of a soft, semi-rigid polymer skin surrounding a flexible low-energy OLED display. Shape memory allows the phone’s keys to pop up when in use and blend in with the surface during downtime.
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The Kyocera EOS can be used in its folded-up shape for simple phone calls, unfolds to reveal a wide screen, and we were excited to hear that the it derives its energy from human interaction. The more you use the phone, the more kinetic energy is turned into an electric charge through an array of tiny piezoelectric generators. In other words, you’ll never have to worry about leaving the house with a semi-charged cell phone again.
The EOS is still in the early design stage, but Kyocera teams in San Diego and Bangalore hope to integrate concepts from the device into cell phone lineups in the near future. Maybe future versions of the EOS will follow Samsung and LG‘s lead and use solar power in addition to kinetic energy.
+ Kyocera
Via Core77
Photo by Jeffrey Sass
Interesting idea…but it does seem kind of fragile. I like how the keys pop up like that when you need them. I assume this is going to be a touch screen? The article didn’t really say. I can’t wait to see this technology in use!
This is the kind if integration of advances in materials applied to solve energy and portability/configuration issues that people will flock too as a result of excellent design.
I will probably confuse it with cheese and accidentally try to eat it in a sandwitch.
Hmmmm…..I wonder why the phone says 20:10 on the screen….youve all heard the hype I am sure about the year 2010…
Anyway,
I really really like the concept here. If I could impliment the kinetic charging feature into my current phone i would be in heaven, My current phone has gps i use alot and will also broadcast my data connection via wifi so i can share it with all my other wifi enabled devices. the battery lasts about # hours with wifi on. Now if this phone had the same features as my current phone I along with many many other people would be sure to buy it.
I was suprised to see this phone is by kyocera. I hav eonly ever seen kyocera phones being used for virgin mobile prepay plans and the quality of the phones has always been a bit sub par when compared to other phones from other manufacturers and carriers.
The EOS does not look very practical to talk on. maybe if the number pad….wait…the keyboard is made up of physical buttons and looks to be just a qwerty keyboard with the shift key and 123 button to change functions of existing buttons however they are not labled with numbers. Would be really nice if right beofre you very eyes the buttons transformed so to speak.
What my point was is that I think it would feel wierd to talk on. other than that is a very nice concept. And touch screen would be an absolute must.
Christine I love you!
Its 2012 not 2010…my mistake….
What is the hype about year 2012?
This product looks really nice.
How long will it hold a charge?
What communications structure is it useing?
This product looks nice.
What communications structure does it use?
Who is going to provide the survice?
How long will the batterys last?
What is the hype about the year 2012?
The hype is that the world will end in 2012, according to the mayans and egyptians. I think the design is so sweet!
the battery recharges when you use the phone
@ coolio:
It\’s actually just the end of the Mayan Calender. There have been numerous predictions about what will happen, the end of the world one of them.
I remember watching videos of this in school, but it\’s been so long, I\’ve forgotten how the system of the calender works.
Anyway, I don\’t think anything will happen, and if it does, then I guess there\’s no sense in worrying about it.
The phone looks awesome, I wish some of these would start to go into the actual development phase. If we look back 50 or so years, we can see all the technological advances we have made, but now everything seems to be still. Obviously that\’s not true, it just feels that way since time goes by so slow when your actually alive. It\’s easy to look back and think that 50 years went by quickly, only \’cause you weren\’t alive as the advances were being made, but I\’ve been alive 18 years, and it\’s gone by slow as hell. Hahaha
I\’m all for new technology, just don\’t let it die in the concept phase!
So it charges when you use it? What does that mean? Is it solor? I don’t under stand what you mean by that? Most every battery powerd device requires a plugin and charg time.
Ya I have heard of the Mayan Calender thing. Not alarming to me. They created a system to follow the solor systems rotation. But every system brakes down or stops.
No it’s not solar energy, Its Kinetic Energy. Like Friction,Static, Body Energy.
It recharges, literally by Using it with your hands.
How much will this thing cost?
The organic components of the OLED (molecules and polymers) are difficult to recycle (high cost, complex technologies(skills)). It can cause a very negative impact to the environment in the future.
Hi, so if anything u should make it a bit smaller because it would feel just a tad bit weird with a huge wallet type phone on your ear an only fold once like in half becuase the walet thing would be to much no disrespect to it.
Questions….
Can it be under water? Waterpoof is what everyone wants!
Is the screen touch?
If so no need for a key pad on The front …put a camera !
Gps?
Movies?
Music player?
Flexable screen?
Melt proof?
How much will it cost?
Not tooo expencive cuz no one will buy it ? If they’re not suite if it truely works we won’t buy it!!!
And good job on how the battery charges !!!
How much will we pay extra for minets, txting all that good stuff?
How are we suppose to talk an hear the ppl threw the phone ?
How long will it last and hold together?
Have voice control on it to where if we lose it all we have to say is where are you… And it will start ringing or beeping !!!!
Is there a speaker on it?
If it’s inside becuz it’s water proof make the speaker loud !!! Or we can turn up or down.
Also it would be cool to be able to make ringtones on the phone or be able to downloud the on the phone straight to the phone!!! And another thing …
Does it have a senscer so it hooks straight up to the computer kinda like a wifi thing but instead of a USB plug u will just have to set it next to the computer.!! Well that’s all I have to say!!! Thanks hopefully it’s helpfull to you guys and gives you guys more info on what the perfect money making phone would be !!!
Will it be available on Verizon Wireless? Other wise some people wont be able to buy it. Also, how big is it?