Wittlich, Germany – German designer Christoph Thetard has unveiled R2B2 , a pedal-powered kitchen tool concept.
R2B2 aims to reduce private electricity waste. ‘Wide user studies have shown that a food processor, a coffee grinder and a hand blender are the most needed appliances,’ explains Thetard. ‘But electricity is not necessary anymore.’
Users pedal a flywheel, which creates mechanical energy that can power these kitchen tools. The user places the object on top of the wooden box with the wheel inside it and starts to pedal. Despite its simple design, the device can provide up to 350 watts of power for 1.5 minutes. It’s enough for a coffe grinder, for instance, to be able to grind beans for 10 cups of coffee.
For more examples of how designers are coming up with smart solutions to save energy, read our Prohibition Culture report.