Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘Human Dynamo’

The Future of Work-Exercising While Generating Energy?

Posted in Health and Wellness, tagged , , , , , on September 18, 2010| Leave a Comment »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Walkstation from Steelcase

What if you could work out while you worked? What if by working out you could generate enough electricity to power your own computer and the computer of the coworker next to you. And what if you could do this without breaking a sweat?

I had this conversation with a client recently. We wondered how long it would take before movement and energy generation are combined to give workers  the opportunity to stay healthy and fit, reduce energy dependence on renewable resources and  transform the workplace.

The technology for such a workplace exists albeit in its infancy. We wrote about the Human Dynamo in this post and about the Walkstation in this post. Since humans can walk for long periods of time without much stress or injury and since research points to the need for human beings to move more than they do with sedentary desk jobs, it makes sense doesn’t it.

My client suggested a world in which we all have renewable battery packs that we can recharge simply by exercising. That way you could plug your renewable battery pack into just about any electronic device including your workplace computer and Walkstation/Human Dynamo bike.

Maybe in this scenario, workers  that exercise a great deal may get credits toward lower health insurance premiums.   Perhaps workers generate credits in their youth that store for when they are  and less able to move. But then again, walking on treadmill is fairly doable (even at low speeds) for most people. People with problems walking or exercising could earn energy credits in other ways.

I’m interested to hear what my readers think. What other changes do you see in the workplace of the future?

Related articles by Zemanta
Enhanced by Zemanta

Read Full Post »

Green Workouts With Human Dynamo 4.2

Posted in Fitness, tagged , , on February 19, 2010| 3 Comments »

By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapists, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer

Now you can power your household appliances while you workout! Energy shortages and high levels of obesity–one company aims to solve both problems with one product: The Human Dynamo 4.2. The designer, Henry Works, created this workout machine to harness the energy you produce while exercising.

Human Dynamo 4.2

How Does the Human Dynamo 4.2 Work?

The machine has a 200 watt (max) permanent magnet generator. The control unit allows the rider to vary the output and therefore the effort required. A person in decent shape can average from 60-120 watts per hour (watts).

Note: this is true electrical output; the generator is about 70% efficient so the actual physical work is 30% higher.

The HD Power Control shows watts being produced, watt/hours (WH) for session, battery voltage and total WH produced since first day of use.

Some typical power uses:
Laptop 60-80 watts.
Stereo 30-70 watts.
Small TV 60-100 watts.

As you can see if you work out for 30 minutes at 100 watts you have made 50 watts (half an hour). So you could listen to a stereo at 25 watts for a two hours.

The Future of Harnessing Human Energy-FireWheel Inter Grid Generation – the FIGG System

Henry Works is currently testing a way of connecting a rotary power source, like the Human Dynamo, directly to the Grid. He calls this system the “FireWheel Inter Grid Generation” system or “FIGG” for short. He will be testing this soon at The Green Micro Gym in Portland, OR.

What it means is that no special DC wiring is needed or inverters to hook up machines. The Dynamo will simply “plug in” to a standard socket and the power flows out through the cord into the circuit. If the power in the building goes out, the system stops producing power, making it entirely safe.

How Can the Human Dynamo Help Reduce Your Utility Bill?

As to your utility bill; the electrical meter slows down in relation to the inside power generated and if you have enough machines producing more than you are using, the meter will turn backwards! If you have produced more than you consumed for the month, most utility companies let you store this as a credit for the following month. (To make this much energy, the machines would have to be in use for most of the day).

How Do I Order a Human Dynamo 4.2?

Go to the Website here. The complete machine is $1950. You will need a heavy duty 12 volt battery and 120 volt AC inverter to power small appliances. If you buy basic version the generator-control can be added later with common tools.

Who is Talking About the Human Dynamo 4.2?

Read this article, from the BBC,  “A Gym Powered by Sweat and Tears” and watch the video showing how a gym in Portland Oregon is using the Human Dynamo to power their gym!

Men’s Health magazine has a great article on the Human Dynamo 4.2 in their March, 2010 issue: Harness Your Power

Read Full Post »