At last, the Internet comes to the wilderness
Posted 06.24.2009 at 12:16 pm
14 Comments
Solar Tent: Nighttime: The tent glows to show its location courtesy Orange
The problem with the great outdoors has always been the lack of full mobile connectivity, electric lighting, and a power source for your laptop. The Orange Solar Concept Tent, which will debut in the UK starting today, in time for the Glastonbury rock festival, tackles these critical problems. The tent uses "solar threads" woven into the fabric to collect energy. The inhabitants can adjust the tent's movable panels to capture the best angle on the sun throughout the day. Inside the tent, a display shows how much solar energy the tent has captured throughout the day and how much energy is currently stored.
Orange is one of the most well-known wireless carriers in the UK, so naturally the tent includes a few extra features related to going mobile during the day, while the pod charges. "Glo-cation" technology allows you to send an SMS message to the tent, causing it to glow so it's easy to find. (The tent also supports active RFID tags to accomplish the same goal.) While you sleep, you can charge your phone in a pouch that uses magnetic induction over a wireless signal, without any power cables.
The tent also includes a useful feature: an under-layer that heats up when the tent reaches a lower-than-ideal temperature.
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Thats really cool and all, like super cool I think, but when you think realistically this is only going to be bought by a few people who are afraid to get their feet wet in the great outdoors (figuratively)...It's not going to sell very much.
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Brick, are you just looking at things in the office and
saying that you love them?
Kind of a different definition of "getting away from it all"
But then so is 'camping out' at a rock festival.
So, let's say 20,000 rockers all text their tents at the same time -- Might still have a little trouble finding yours!
And, if it rains (in England!?) -- back to the campfire
I love the great outdoors, but I really wouldn't use a tent like this. Maybe if I was taking some kids camping with me, but that's only because it glows.
I would like to see the solar threads that let the tent gather a charge put to use in a back pack that I could charge an e-radio or small handheld GPS device. or possibly a sat-phone, since I tend to hike a little ways from any help.
Get out of town!(pardon the pun) Awesome idea - I think you will all be surprised how popular it will be!
20,000 ppl at the rock festival all texting their tents at the same time will only add to the atmosphere!
Ben
CEO
http://idigibuzz.com
that defeats the purpose of camping outdoors. LOL
Not only can people text when sitting right next to eahother they can text and call eachother while camping! LOL
I think it's a great idea. It's hard enough to get my girlfriend out into the woods to camp. I have to rent a cabin just to go outdoors with her. F>Y>I that cabin has AC and TV.. Anywayz back to the point. I think it's a great idea to have brought these pro-green idea's to camping. The tent is trendy and very nice. Plus for all you true outdoors people that want to rough it out, then rough it out. I'll be in the tent with the things I support and my girlfriend will accept as a comfortable place to stay in while camping or at an event. Can't wait to buy one.
Chris J
P.S. I hope they make one with the capabality of support a small AC unit ;)
I love this tent! Send me a free one! lol
The solar tent is great. Ever since I got my home solar systems from www.bettersolarhomeguide.com I've been really excited about saving energy. I've got solar rings, panels, and even an attic fan.
The heat up feature is great! I could actually imagine that aspect of it going into more main stream tents.
They should include a mosquito/insect repelling function. Maybe something to scare away the Bears.
Tom
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