MIT Soft Rockers : Smart, Clean Energy Charging Stations Disguised as Outdoor Rocking Lounge Furniture

Wondering where to recharge your electronics while you are out with your friends? Worry no more! The new MIT SOFT Rockers serves as an exceptional charging station disguised primarily as outdoor rocking loaf furniture. The SOFT Rocker is unlike other hard urban infrastructure, where it leverages its surroundings in a dynamic manner using human power of balance in order to create a synergetic 1.5-axis 35-watt solar tracking system. Run any USB device, charge your cell phones and have good time with your friends under cool lighting loops especially at nighttime for social gathering.

The SOFT Rockers takes the shape of a leaf-like loop. It has been designed in such a way to adapt to the latitude plus sun angle of several sites using parametric design software as well as automated fabrication on a frivolous Kuka robotic arm. Combining scientific and low-tech design strategies, SOFT Rocker generates electricity, however, engages the body and as well works as excellent furniture by hand. It recasts power generation chiefly as an integrated and widespread public activity instead of a centralized, peculiar off-site project of engineering.

SOFT ROCKER TEAM
Sheila KENNEDY, MIT Professor of the Practice of Architecture
James BAYLESS, UC MArch 2014, KVA Intern
Kaitlyn BOGENSCHUTZ, UC BS Arch 2013, KVA Intern
Wardah Inam, MIT PhD Candidate 2015, Electrical Engineering
Jungmin NAM, GSD MArch 2009, KVA Designer
Shevy ROCKCASTLE, MIT SMarchS 2011
Phil SEATON, MIT MArch 2012
Matt TRIMBLE, MIT MArch 2008, RADLAB
Adnon ZOLIJ, MIT BS 2010, Electrical Engineer Vicor, Inc.

All Images by Philip Ropert