Head over to our My Planet section to win lovely ethical and green prizes. If you're a SmartPlanet member, entering a competition takes just two clicks.
Since Unwired spotted this cool concept for a Nokia green phone today, we've been chatting with the Finns to get a closer look -- and they sent us these sci-fi-looking pics.
Despite the Minority Report-worthy design, the idea behind the Eco Sensor Concept is simple -- it's just a phone made from eco materials combined with sensors to check out local pollution levels.
The phone itself (pictured above) would be made from plant-based plastics, plus a 100 per cent recycled steel case and old hemp sandals. It'd also be as tiny as possible to cut down on materials -- Nokia reckons this miniaturisation will become possible thanks to 'nanoinks' which allow them to effectively print electronics.
To cut power consumption, the Eco Sensor would also use an OLED screen -- which we've seen already in today's MP3 players and use less power than LCDs. The sensors could potentially even use 'electrowetting' for a screen, a technique that involves applying a voltage to oil drops and, while sounding a bit like E Ink's 'electronic paper', also sounds as likely to become reality as Al Gore running again for president.
Then there are the sensors (pictured directly above and below). Nokia suggests these could be environmental ones (measuring particulate matter and ground-level ozone), weather versions detecting humidity or health gizmos to monitor your heart-rate. The theory is you wear these round your neck or wrist -- yes, Nokia's still into the 'wearable tech' thang -- and have them talk wirelessly to the phone. For added greenie points, they'd be powered by solar cells in the sensor straps or kinetic energy generated simply by you bumbling around.
The final piece of the eco puzzle is the promise of some web-connected software (pictured below) that'd allow you to upload your sensors' data to share with the world -- which sounds like a green version of Nokia's Lifeblog software. From the look of this mock-up, you'd be able to share your eco info and look at other users' around the world to create a real-time green map.
Sadly, while the Eco Sensor pushes all our eco buttons, it's only a concept -- which means it's likely to stay in the realms of vapourware for now. We'll have more as we hear it.
10 May 2008 05:57am
I think that would be great to start using all of these consumer devices for scientific research. It would get people much more connected to things like global warming if they were carrying around a few of the sensors being used in a study. I'd love to have something like this.
Seems like the phone would have to be doing some sort of location tracking using triangulation or just the known location of the cell tower it was currently using.
Please note: Your email address must be entered but will not be displayed
Please note: All submitted content becomes the sole property of CNET Networks UK and may be used, edited or rejected at CNET Networks UK's sole discretion. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks UK, are responsible for the contents of your submission.
Head over to our My Planet section to win lovely ethical and green prizes. If you're a SmartPlanet member, entering a competition takes just two clicks.
