A few months ago, a solar-powered park bench named Soofa was revealed in the White House’s inaugural Maker Faire. Soofa could be a blessing for those whose cell phone batteries have been drained and the user is left without. It’s not just that you can relax on the bench; it comes with USB ports to recharge your phone while relaxing on a beautiful day. Shortly, courts will come with mats for charging inductively.
However, the benches powered by solar energy are more than just an accessory. They can gather data on the surrounding areas, such as weather conditions, noise level, air quality, and how many people pass by. They’re also designed to allow people to talk in person and not only via texts or WhatsApp.
The concept for Soofa was conceived by three inventors who worked on the idea in the MIT Media Lab. Designer and co-founder Jutta Friedrichs discuss their ideas in a press announcement:
“We would like to revitalize the city and provide an exciting new experience for socializing. Computers have taken people off the streets…We imagine Soofas acting as magnets, allowing users to take a walk while watching the news, sharing videos, or keeping up on their emails without worrying of being power-depleted.”
The benches are about $3,000and the creators are still working out the most efficient method to make money from their product through subscription or sponsorship. The sofas are currently primarily located in the Boston region, and a check on their website will reveal their location and names.