Battery-free Game Boy powered by button pushing can run forever, scientists say

‘When you press a button, the device converts that energy into something that powers your gaming,’ researcher says

The modified Game Boy harvests energy from the sun - and the user (Northwestern University)

Engineers have developed a battery-free Game Boy that harvests energy from the user to allow infinite gameplay.

The Engage device reimagines the Nintendo gaming icon using cutting-edge computer technology and can play the original cartridges of games like Tetris and Super Mario.

The breakthrough was made by researchers at Northwestern University in the US and Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands (TU Delft).

“It’s the first battery-free interactive device that harvests energy from user actions,” said Josiah Hester, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Northwestern University.

“When you press a button, the device converts that energy into something that powers your gaming.”

The device currently only works with a small LED screen and is unable to play sound, while the power is also prone to shutting off occasionally.

As a result it has been designed to shut off without losing game progress and can be reactivated with the push of a button.

Researchers hope it will eventually “enable gaming to last forever” without the need for recharging mobile devices.

The goal is to also reduce society’s reliance on costly battery technology that is environmentally hazardous and ultimately ends up in landfill sites.

“Sustainable gaming will become a reality, and we made a major step in that direction by getting rid of the battery completely,” said Przemyslaw Pawelczak, an assistant professor at TU Delft.

“With our platform, we want to make a statement that it is possible to make a sustainable gaming system that brings fun and joy to the user.”

A research paper detailing the battery-free technology will be presented virtually on 15 September at the UbiComp 2020 conference.