Environment

Japan Uses Footsteps to Create Energy

by Amy Judd | December 12, 2008 at 01:21 pm

351 views | 16 Recommendations | 4 comments

In two of Japan's busiest train stations, experiments have started this week to use the footsteps of all the commuters to create the energy to run the ticket turnstiles. A special floor has been installed in front of the machines that when a passenger steps on it, it creates a vibration that can then be stored as energy.

About 400,000 people use the Tokyo station every day, meaning there is enough energy to light up signs at the very least.

"We are just testing the system at the moment to examine its full potential," said Takuya Ikeba, a spokesman for JR East, adding that the tiles are constructed of layers of rubber sheeting, to absorb the vibrations, and ceramic.

Deeply dependent on imported fuel to power its industries, Japanese companies are at the forefront of research into clean and reuseable energy sources.

On the other side of Tokyo, a remarkable 2.4 million people pass through the sprawling Shibuya Station on an average week day, with many of them now treading on Soundpower Corp.'s "Power Generation Floor."

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Paschen

at 20:15 on December 12th, 2008

It is cool once it will really and always work.

Adam Purple

at 11:32 on December 13th, 2008

I like these stories that bring everyday sources of energy to our attention. Thanks for the post.

158

at 10:59 on December 15th, 2008

It sounds strange but still a good idea.

Sabenien

at 16:35 on December 19th, 2008

They should put it in the future everywhere in the floors in cities, even in highways, so that energy would be produced by the complete community and not in the poluting way we do it now !