Cell phones charged by bicycle in Africa

I just read this article, about cell phones being charged by bicycles in Africa.

Pretty awesome. We take electricity for granted, having power points in our homes, offices, and cars. But people living in rural parts of Africa have been deterred from owning cell phones, as there was no reliable way to charge them. And this is oftentimes their only link to the city, police, hospital, and emergency help, as well as family.

But all that will change, and there will even be a bit of a mini business built around the concept, as someone has to sell the phone and contract, and someone needs to ride the bike that charges the phone.

I’ll try to get some more research done on this, and post an update.