2013 Galleries
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Galleries // 2013 Spark:Product // Eton Rugged Rukus Solar Stereo
Eton Rugged Rukus Solar Stereo
Winner - Silver
Competition: Spark:Product
Designer: Mr. Dan Harden & Whipsaw Design Team - President
Design Type: product
Company / Organization / School: Whipsaw, Inc.
Challenge: Several Bluetooth speakers exist on the market today, but none employ renewable energy. They all require plugging in to AC, they use lots of power, and you cannot use them outside in inclement weather. Our challenge was to Design the world’s first GREEN solar powered outdoor small wireless music player that is super rugged (for outdoor use like picnics or camping). Solution: The Eton Rugged Rukus is an all-terrain solar-powered wireless music system. Its 20 square inch solar panel generates significant amounts of power to play music all day long without plugging in. Without sun, the internal lithium battery will keep the music going for 8 hours. Users can stream music from any Bluetooth enabled smartphone, tablet or computer. One can also use the micro USB cable with your smartphone charger for non-stop entertainment. Users can also charge their smart phone directly from Rugged Rukus by plugging it into the USB. Design Features: Rugged Rukus has a compact form factor, with upward- facing speakers, a solar panel that faces the sun, and two corner loops for attaching the unit to a backpack or to hang inside a tent. It can also stand up on its face for compact storage. The unique 8-sided shape of the solar panel is derived from its manufacturing process, where the high efficiency panels are cut from a round solar plate. The black housing parts are high impact rubber (thermoplastic elastomer) over-molded onto the green super tough polycarbonate chassis. Connectors are concealed behind rubber doors.
