In The Future, The ‘Sound Charge T-Shirt’ Could Power Your iPhone Using Sound Waves

• The Orange ‘Sound Charge’ t-shirt provides a revolutionary charging solution using sound to power your mobile phone
• 2011 prototype follows Orange’s successful heritage in producing eco charging devices
• Live testing to be conducted on site at the Glastonbury Festival
• Orange leading the way in innovative mobile technology

What if your t-shirt could charge your smartphone using sound waves? Orange, the UK-based mobile phone carrier, is actually exploring this technology for consumer use. They call it the Sound Charge T-Shirt. Orange was testing the technology at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival.

How Does The Sound Charge Work?

The concept behind Orange’s Sound Charge is a based on Kinetic charging technology – where movement is converted into energy. But Orange is using piezoelectric film to capture sound waves greater than 80 db and convert it into energy.

It may not be the fastest way to charge a device, but if your battery is low and you are in a noisy area, then this might be your best option.

Glastonbury Festival: How Loud Is 80 Decibels?

For the Sound Charge to work properly, you need to be in a noisy area with sound that reaches 80 decibels or more.

So, how loud is 80 decibels? A blender works at about 88 db. A propeller plane, diesel engine, and lawnmower can all hit the 80 db mark. A sporting event could also do it. And of course, rock concerts go past 80 db easy. Even with many sound restrictions, 90 db is usually the softest a 3 piece rock band gets. Which is why Orange was testing their Sound Charge technology at the Glastonbury Festival.

“In a vibrant festival environment such as Glastonbury, sound is such an obvious medium that it seemed like a natural fit to use it in the development of this year’s prototype.” Says Andrew Pearcey – Orange’s Head of Sponsorship.

“Orange’s commitment and ethos around innovation is as strong as ever and we envisage that this pioneering technology could really change the face of mobile charging in environments where eco charging solutions need to be found. It could even influence trends in fashion, with designers looking to integrate this passive charging solution into clothing.”

When Will The Sound Charge Be Available To The Public?

Orange is still just testing the Sound Charge technology, but don’t hold your breath. Personally, I think this feels more like a PR stunt than a real business effort by Orange. Making this announcement at the Glastonbury Festival is probably just a clever way to get some extra press around their event sponsorship.

But who knows, maybe in the future we will all be wearing Sound Charge T-Shirts. Stranger things have happened.