When there is a power cut, it becomes difficult for most of the people to perform daily chores. Sometimes, if the problem is big, we keep on sitting idle for hours waiting for electricity. Switching to human power, the 1.21 Jigawatts Minneapolis, MN, went on to with the Red Bull Creation competition with their unique contraption. Dubbed as Human Powered Text Message Printer, the hamster wheel was built from scavenged materials like spray cans and is driven by an actuator.
The participating teams were to make a project in which they were required to move the weight same as that of a human being from one point to another. The participants were asked to create their contraptions within 72 hours, and there should be no use of fossil fuels. The wheel had cans fitted to its back. When you step on the wheel, it spins and walks forward. This generates mechanical energy for charging up the actuator and propelling the spray cans. The team, which included Dillon Hodapp, Nathan Knutson, Ben Arcand and Dave Heisserer, gave the wheel a mobile number and linked it through the network. The hamster wheel made by them could ably handle 60,000 words at a time. The team got a grand prize of $5,000 at the competition and was also awarded with Full Spectrum Laser’s four 40W Hobby Laser Cutters.
Via: PSFK
