NEWS – Everyone knows that solar-powered means an object can use solar cells to derive power from the sun. Simple, eh? Except, that solar requires a larger surface area to be efficient. However, that may be changing as audio company JBL has teamed with the Swedish company Exeger to make not an exclusively solar-powered headphone, but a light powered headphone: the JBL REFLECT Eternal.
JBL is using Indiegogo to crowdsource interest for a headphone with unlimited playtime. It marries Exeger’s light converting material into a form-factor for everyday use. In response to growing consumer interest in sustainability, the prototype for the JBL REFLECT Eternal was developed for music fans looking to implement greener habits.
Unlike traditional solar cells, which require a large surface area and are optimized only for outdoor use, Exeger’s unique Powerfoyle material is specifically engineered to generate power with indoor light and indirect sunlight. This allows the headphone to continuously charge whether in an office or meeting with friends later. Exeger’s compact and efficient solar cells have virtually unlimited battery life. They will use JBL’s built-in noise management technology, Ambient Aware and TalkThru to further complement the headphones.
“We are looking forward to hearing from our customers and workshopping this sustainable technology with them in real-time,” said David Owens, Vice President, Business Development at HARMAN. “JBL has been working closely with our partners at Exeger to bring this cutting-edge solar technology into a headphone with JBL’s legendary Pro Sound, and we hope our customers are as excited about it as we are. JBL is pleased to be working with the right partners to contribute where we can to a more sustainable future.”
Exeger Founder and CEO Giovanni Fili said: “Together we will introduce a self-powered headphone that can charge from any light around you.”
Consumers who choose to participate in the crowdsourcing will have the opportunity to pre-order the headphone once it becomes available at a discounted rate. To learn more about the self-charging JBL headphones visit reflect.jbl.com or https://support.jbl.com/us/en/.
