Solar Tent Charges Your Phone, Glows So You Can Find It

At last, the Internet comes to the wilderness

By John Brandon Posted 06.24.2009 at 11:16 am 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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14 Comments

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golferguy

06/24/09 at 12:05 pm

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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ford2go

06/25/09 at 1:18 am

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

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Jivaii

06/26/09 at 9:14 pm

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.

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BennyBoiii

07/07/09 at 7:52 pm

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

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peanut_butt

07/28/09 at 6:37 pm

that defeats the purpose of camping outdoors. LOL

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gadgetgeek

08/21/09 at 5:22 pm

Not only can people text when sitting right next to eahother they can text and call eachother while camping! LOL

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chrismjuarez

08/21/09 at 6:39 pm

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 ;)

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Lee10

10/05/09 at 7:45 am

I love this tent! Send me a free one! lol

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gbancrig

11/05/09 at 5:13 pm

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.

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