INVENTORS have a reputation for being as mad as a fish but one seemingly bonkers idea which could ease the load for emergency workers and troops is a backpack that converts the motion of walking into electrical power.
Walking at a steady pace carrying 18 to 36kg (39 to 79lb) in the pack will generate up to 7.4 Watts; plenty to power a headlamp, phone and global positioning system, according to BusinessWeek (Sept 19). The pack, which is mounted on springs and rides up and down a tracking system, also reduces the effort needed to carry the load.