I’m not a scientist and I don’t understand how kinetic energy works let alone how it might harness energy inside a soccer ball.  But just because I don’t understand the science behind it doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate its brilliance:   A soccer ball that generates electricity.   

Picture this:  many villages in Africa and in rural South America are ‘off the grid’.  That means they have no connection to the electrical grid therefore no electricity.  So, when the sun goes down it’s just dark.  Many families turn to kerosene lamps or generators for evening light but both of those options come with respiratory health and safety issues. 

 So, enter the Soccket soccer ball created by Uncharted Play.    Children play with the Soccket soccer ball during the day while a cool device inside the ball captures the kinetic energy created through the movement of the ball.  A handy outlet built into the ball allows for a reading lamp to be plugged in and access that stored kinetic energy and voila:  Light!    30 minutes of soccer play can power a simple LED lamp for 3 hours.   What this means in practical terms is that children’s play during the day can power their reading and homework after the sun has set.   Free, clean electricity powered by play.

Well done Uncharted Play – You’re doing your bit to contribute to SDG #7:  Affordable & Clean Energy.          Cool AND Inspiring.