Getting a cell phone to work long term in a rural area is never an easy task, especially if your closest source of electricity is miles away. Industrial designer Andrew Williams is looking to try and tackle this issue with his concept cell phone design, dubbed the “Communication for Rural Africa”. Unlike your normal cell phones, this one doesn’t even have a battery; rather it is powered directly by a solar panel. Its minimalistic design means that there is only one button (and no other interface). When the button is pressed, it connects the user to a local operator who can then connect the call to a desired party, eliminating the issue of having to remember troublesome phone numbers. Not too bad eh?
Filed in . Read more about Africa, Cell Phone, Concept, Eco (environment) and Solar.