Hand Cranked Power for your Smartphone

No one loves searching for a power outlet in a crowded airport–and heaven help you if you're out in the bush. Any frequent traveler or outdoorsman has their own methods for keeping the electric ether flowing, usually consisting of external battery banks, small solar cells, or some combination thereof. We're no different. That's all fine and good, but what about when the power is out for a long period of time and there's no sun? Everyone we know has forgotten cables and converters at least once when traveling, and sometimes a quick trip can become a long journey. An IndieGoGo campaign that caught our attention addresses this very issue: The Crankcase and Crankbox by AMPWARE.

The CrankCase is an iPhone cover (for 5, 5S, and 6) with an integral crank for power generation. From the photos it appears that the crank doubles as a stand too, which is pretty neat. The CrankBox is their standalone generator. Here's what they have to say about it:

Ampware's patent-pending technology instantly develops 500 mA when hand cranked. Should users ever find themselves without power, they can re-energize their device's battery, getting three hours of battery life for 5 minutes of crank time! Plug any USB-charged device into the charging port for a jump charge. No more looking for wall plugs, car chargers or USB outlets while on the go. CrankCase and CrankBox provide immediate power anywhere in the world, day or night. So users can talk, text and work on their mobile device anytime!

“After Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, I realized that staying connected with loved ones in disasters is impossible without power,” said Mark Gabriel, co-founder of AMPWARE. “We designed the CrankCase and CrankBox to be reliable so you don't have to worry about having a car charger or wall outlet to power your mobile device. In an emergency or in daily life, you can always generate enough power to stay connected with your family and friends.”

To for more information or to contribute to the IndieGoGo campaign to help bring it to the market, click here. There's also a limited number available now for pre-order as part of the campaign. The campaign officially ends on April 18th.

We can't wait to check it out and use it someplace dangerous.