Delhi Teens Invent Device That Lets You Charge Your Phone By Walking. Brilliant!

What if we told you charging your phone could keep you fit?

Confused?

Well, almost four years ago, two 19-year-olds found a way to do exactly that with one innovation.

Delhi-based youngsters Mohak Bhalla and Anand Gangadharan are childhood buddies. In Class X, the duo decided to put a physics theory they had been taught to use in a project for a science exhibition by the physics department.

Within three months, they had developed one of the first prototypes of what they later christened, the Walkie Mobi Charger—a device that charges your mobile phone using the kinetic energy produced by walking.

This charger claims to charge your phone 20 per cent faster than your standard charger.

While Mohak is pursuing BTech from Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Engineering, Delhi, Anand is doing the same at the Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai. The young innovators are working on upgrading the device for the last four years with the hopes of introducing it in the market in another year or two.

The Better India (TBI) got in touch with the duo to find out how the innovation was conceived.

“When we were brainstorming for the project we came across stories of how a country abroad used electricity generated by the footsteps of commuters to light up the work stations and platforms. It motivated us to think—why don’t we use a concept like this that could help individuals generate electricity for themselves, while also helping them to stay fit by walking?” begins Anand.

Another source of inspiration was the idea of how individuals could reduce their carbon footprint by turning to a sustainable way of generating electricity.

But why mobile phones? “When we were building it four years ago, we noticed how people from all age groups, especially the youth, were hooked on to their phones 24×7. We wanted to make a device that could be marketed in the long run, a product that would have some actual use. So we thought, why not give them an incentive while keeping them fit and increasing their love for the outdoors?” answers Mohak.

Thus began the process of turning the concept into reality. While the duo turned to their school, Mount Carmel, and their physics teacher for mentorship and guidance which the school readily extended, the families of the kids backed them in terms of the financial support they required to make the prototype.

The journey wasn’t easy. They created three prototypes, the designs for two of which were rejected on the paper itself. But they kept going. The school and their families continued to motivate them to give their idea another chance.

Three months later, they had a small prototype of the model ready, a device that can be strapped onto both legs. The generated electricity gets stored in a battery which charges your phone. Anand and Mohak are working together to refine the model and make it even more compact.

They made their first charger entirely of scrap material. The production cost came up to Rs 2000. They say that if it is manufactured in bulk, the price per unit will drop to Rs 500. Anand adds optimistically, “The point is to keep it less expensive so that everyone could have access to it.”

How does it work?

The device operates on the principle of Electromagnetic Induction. The components of the charger include a dynamo and a buffer mechanism. This mechanism rotates the dynamo to produce the electricity needed to charge the mobile phone, with the compression and relaxation caused by the heels of the user’s feet.

When we walk, our heels compress and relax, as they touch the ground and lift. Simply put, the device uses the energy generated by this pattern to charge your phone.

Also Read: Genius! UP Man Uses ‘Gutter Gas’ to Help Tea-Stall Owner Earn Four Times More

Motivation and the road ahead

“When we started off, we were one among the several groups that participated in the project. It was just an idea and we wanted to give it a try. But as we delved into the project further, we came across interesting facts and the motivation from everyone around us really helped and pushed us to think differently and out of the box. We are now working on refining the model further and hopefully, if all goes well, we will market it too,” says Anand.

When the friends tested the device, the electricity output generated from both feet was higher than the general output.

They are now working on an upgraded model while also aiming to make the newer version wireless. Yet to be tested, they are hopeful that the advanced circuit will be able to not only charge phones faster but also let it function as a power bank, which can charge the phone even when you have stopped walking.

The design that they are now working on will also make the device suitable for other devices in addition to the phone. Even a laptop!

What better way to get people outside their homes, reduce their carbon footprint, keep them fit and also charge their gadgets!

Here’s wishing the friends the very best!

(Edited By Saiqua Sultan)

Like this story? Or have something to share?
Write to us: [email protected]
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Found Value in This Story?Pay What You Can to Support Impactful Journalism

If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.

Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-

₹201
₹501
₹1001

By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let’s ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.

Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?