The sOccket may look like a normal soccer ball. But flip open its secret panel some night after practice and you’ll discover that it “converts kicks and headers into off-the-grid power.” Created by a New York nonprofit to benefit developing countries, the ball is made of a durable watertight foam rubber and generates energy thanks to magnetic rotors that are hidden inside. Future versions of the sOccket will be able to recharge a cell phone, but for now the internal battery can be used to power a water purifier or an LED lamp. For every ball sold in the U.S., another will be donated overseas in a region where soccer is popular but electricity scarce.
$100 (est.), soccket.com
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