mPowerpad, World’s First All-In-One Portable Solar Charger

mPowerPad is an all-in-one portable solar device(charger) that provides ready power to people working, traveling or living in rural or remote places to their Mobile Phones, Camera, Tablet, Radio, Reading Light, Torch, and Ultrasonic insect repellent.

mPowerPad has so many gadgets crammed into it.

mPowerpad, multi-function solar charger

A solar charger like no other? That’s the mPowerpad by Third Wave Power which, according to a recent news release, is described as “the world’s first all-in-one solar charger with gesture-based control.” This gee-whiz device is on display for all the world to see from November 1-3 at the Clean Energy Expo Asia (CEEA) 2011 in Singapore.

Like all solar chargers, the mPowerpad captures and stores solar power to charge mobile phones, tablets, cameras and many other devices. (The specs on this one state that the device can completely an iPhone on six hours of direct sunlight.) Unlike other solar chargers, this one comes with a built-in reading light, flashlight, radio, and even a built-in ultrasonic insect repellent, increasing its utility for camping trips, school expeditions, and homes in rural areas, as well as anyone working, traveling or living without reliable access to the grid.

With a battery capacity of 2500mAh, the mPowerpad is said to charge all of your mobile gadgets — via multiple USB ports — as quickly as from an AC/DC outlet. It’s around the size of the average tablet reader, can be tilted to make best use of the sun’s rays, and features a unique “gesture-based interface” — just tilt the device towards the sun to engage functions.

Third Wave Power, led by former Hewlett-Packard executives VS Hariharan and Lim Chuin Kiat, was recently named "Most Eco-friendly Start-up" at Techventure 2011 in Singapore, and is backed by commercial incubator Small World Group and Singapore's National Research Foundation. Pricing is said to be around $80 per unit, with availability projected for this coming January.

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Compact, rugged and lightweight, mPowerpad takes less than 6 hours to fully charge under direct sunlight. Through two USB ports, mPowerpad is capable of charging many types of devices and gadgets such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablets and cameras. With a 2500mAh battery capacity, it can fully charge up an iPhone – as quickly and efficiently as from an AC/DC outlet – while simultaneously providing reading light, radio and insect repellant for 4-5 hours.

Third Wave Power, which is backed by commercial incubator Small World Group and Singapore’s National Research Foundation, expects mPowerpad to begin shipping in early January next year, with a recommended retail price of US$80 per unit.

“mPowerpad is designed for people who often travel to remote places and need a serious solution to keep their gadgets and equipment up and running,” said VS Hariharan, Co-founder of Third Wave Power. “Other solar chargers in the market do not have more than one or two functions, or they lack durability and reliability. mPowerpad, however, delivers an affordable, sustainable boost to productivity, and benefits outdoor enthusiasts, professionals and households with no ready access to electricity.”

Formerly from Hewlett-Packard Company, Hariharan has been involved in scaling many new and emerging businesses throughout his 20-year career, as well as building go-to-market engines for consumer and business products.