A remote control for Google TV that never runs out of battery? It already exists!

Imagine a remote control that you don’t need to charge or replace the batteries in. It sounds like a gadget from the future, but that’s exactly the kind of project showcased by the South Korean company Ohsung Electronics. And although it’s just a so-called reference device – meaning a prototype that is unlikely to hit the shops – it has a good chance of inspiring other companies. And then such a remote could be under our roof sooner than we think.

Solar Cell at Heart

The secret is a tiny Swedish company, Epishine, and its solar cell that doesn't need sunlight. Ordinary light from the living room is enough. According to the manufacturer, the remote will practically work endlessly – as long as a lamp is occasionally on in the room. Ohsung cleverly placed panels on both sides of the remote. This means it charges even when lying flat with the buttons facing up. Importantly, there is no battery here. The device continuously converts light into energy and uses it immediately.

Can it become widely accepted?

Today, most remotes for Google TV and Chromecasts operate on standard batteries that need to be replaced regularly. Each of us knows that moment when the remote starts to malfunction, and we begin to shake it, press the buttons harder, or… gently bite the batteries to regain at least a bit of energy. Yes, it works – but we definitely do not recommend it. When the batteries run out, the search for spares in drawers begins, or a quick sprint to the nearest shop. Yet it can be done differently.

What about an app instead of a remote?

Of course, you can control Google TV via a smartphone – you just need the Google TV app on Android or iOS. However, many people prefer a physical remote. Children do too. And devices that do not require batteries are additionally cheaper, lighter, and more environmentally friendly. Although the Ohsung remote is unlikely to hit the shops, its design could become a model for television and set-top box manufacturers. If that happens, the end of batteries in remotes might be closer than we think.