Designed by Aaron Tsui, Irina Kozlovskaya, Jasen Mehta and Sergio Silva, Rocco: the energy pal is a rocking horse concept which teaches children about energy generation and conservation by converting kinetic energy created through movement into energy.

How does Rocco work?;

1. The rocking motion shifts the position of an Energy Magnet.
2. Copper coils transform the magnets kinetic energy into power through induction.
3. Inductive coupling, the transfer of current flow from one wire to induce voltage through another wire, charges Rocco's internal battery located in the handles.
4. The handles glow brighter as they charge.
5. When kids rock on Rocco the kinetic energy is converted into electricity that lights up Rocco’s handles which detach and can be used as night lights, flashlights or a lamp [1, 2].

The transparent rockers enable children to observe the energy producing mechanism at work and the glowing handles reinforce the direct relationship between their actions and the energy produced through visual eco-information.

Rocco: the energy pal was one of the entrants to Greener Gadgets (New York, 2010). To view Rocco and the other entries to this competition visit: http://cea.mblast.com/ws/efaward/rsp/vote2.asp?c=1

For more information about Rocco: the energy pal visit Inhabitots at: http://www.inhabitots.com/rocco-a-rocking-horse-that-harvests-kinetic-energy/