Atom Silva Bicycle Battery

Using a mounted (stationary) bicycle to generate electricity has been around for some time, as has using bicycles to power bicycle accessories, particularly lights. A new technology enables charging various devices while still using a bicycle for transportation. If this can evolve into a reliable means for charging communications devices and, say, flashlights, we’d have one more means of keeping things going during power failures.

Via GigaOM, here a bicycle-based charger which can charge mobile devices, is easily removable, and doubles as an AC (wall-plug) charger. Since so many devices can now be charged via USB, these bicycle chargers might be an important tool in keeping critical functions going during power outages. Check out this post by Kevin C. Tofel, which describes the forthcoming Siva Cycle Atom battery pack. An excerpt:

People riding bikes for exercise, recreation or commuting don’t need to waste their energy any longer. Oh, they can still ride, but now they can recoup some of the power they generate on their ride and use the juice to charge up their mobile devices. A new Kickstarter project for the Siva Cycle Atom is the secret.

Atom Silva Bicycle battery device

The Atom is made of two parts: a small generator with electronic power regulation and a removable battery pack with a USB port. Most bicycles with a quick-release rear wheel can use the Atom, which sits between the rear tire and bike frame. A USB cable can be run from the Atom to a charge a mobile device while riding, even as the battery pack recharges.

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Taking the Atom’s battery pack with you when leaving your bike is a snap; just remove it when you lock up your bike. I like the fact that the battery pack pulls “double duty”: You can recharge it through a conventional outlet as well. With a 1300 mAh battery capacity, a fully-charged Atom

should recharge an iPhone to about 70 percent full. Handsets with larger batteries — say the new Galaxy S 4, for example — would only get about 40 to 50 percent of a recharge with the Atom. The project is hoping to raise $85,000 by May 23 and it’s well on its way already: At time of writing, over $55,000 were pledged. The first 300 early-birds already committed a discounted $85 for the Atom, so if you want in now, you’ll have to fork over $95. The project founders expect to sell the Atom for $105, so you can still get a discount now. Delivery estimates for the Atom are November.

Need to charge your phone? Ride your bike with a Siva Cycle Atom battery pack