Google TV devices could soon come with a solar-powered remote control, thanks to a new collaboration with Epishine, a company specialising in solar cells for indoor lighting. The technology, highlighted by 9to5Google, allows the remote to rely on rechargeable batteries rather than disposable ones, potentially keeping it charged indefinitely as long as it receives some light. The only scenario in which it might run out of power is if it is completely hidden in a dark space, such as deep inside a sofa cushion.
Reference design from Ohsung Electronics
The new solar-powered remote, known as the G32 reference remote, has been developed by Ohsung Electronics, an official supplier of Google reference remotes. While manufacturers of Google TV streaming boxes or dongles can create their own remote designs from scratch, they can also use Google’s reference designs to speed up product development. For example, Walmart’s Onn devices feature remotes based on Google’s official designs.
The G32 is currently not bundled with any Google TV devices and is not available for individual purchase. Previous reference remotes include the G10, with 22 buttons, and the G20, with 38 buttons. Companies can modify these designs to provide easy access to a variety of streaming platforms beyond the usual services, such as Netflix and YouTube.
A growing trend in solar-powered remotes
This is not the first instance of a remote using solar technology to maintain its charge. Hama released a universal remote last year that incorporated Exeger’s Powerfoyle solar cell technology, and Samsung launched a solar-powered remote for its TVs several years ago. However, Google’s adoption of the technology could help make solar-powered remotes more common, particularly for smaller manufacturers looking for an easy way to implement sustainable energy solutions in their products.
With the push towards renewable energy and reduced electronic waste, the introduction of solar-powered remotes may represent a small but meaningful step towards more eco-friendly consumer electronics. If widely adopted, it could help reduce the reliance on disposable batteries, offering users a more sustainable and convenient experience.
