The device uses a modified insole to send energy from footsteps to a micro-generator that transfers it to electricity that is then stored in a battery pack attached to shoelaces. It generates enough energy to fully charge a cell phone with a 10- to 15-mile walk. Mr. Stanton said the company is working on strategies to generate more electricity with fewer steps.
Originally conceived as a senior design project in 2012 for the two Carnegie Mellon University engineering students, SolePower made its first strides toward becoming a small business with a round of financial assistance from CMU incubator program Project Olympus.
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