Mobile devices are inert until activated by the user and are dependent on the user for survival, yet users often become psychologically dependent on their mobile phone.

"We have become over-reliant upon technology to perform on our behalf. In believing that technology can perform better than us, we forget that it ultimately depends upon us to function"[1].

The WorkYou Phone, designed by Abigail Durrant with Julia Leihener, exploited this co-dependency by developing a prototype mobile phone which is charged by energy created by exaggerated body gestures such as hand movements, body heat or breathing [2].

Initial ideas focused on building extra resistance into the phone by pressing down the buttons to dial a number, for example, in a similar method used to operate a self-charging dynamo torch. To demonstrate the potential power which could be harnessed from hand gestures made when using the phone the designers adapted a dynamo torch for testing purposes.

Further scenario testing using a prototype which required the user use her entire body movement to power the phone revealed continuous movement was needed to maintain a viable connection.

"She has to really work hard to maintain her phone connection. Her behaviour is distracting her from her conversation" [1].

This constant need for movement forces the user to reflect upon his or her level of need to be connected versus the effort required to do so.