Human-sized hamster wheel makes you work to charge your phone

Sure, you could plug your phone into a power socket to charge it, but where’s the fun in that? London-based agency 1000Heads has set up a giant hamster wheel at SXSW, allowing people to charge their gadgets while getting a bit of exercise at the same time.

The idea, designed to help promote Nokia’s green credentials, was inspired by video of a hamster-powered phone charger that did the rounds last year.

The other day, while racing around London between meetings, both my phone and laptop ran out of charge and I ended up in McDonalds, stealing power from the wall while shoveling fries into my mouth. If one of these wheels was on every street corner I’d have been sorted, and a little healthier too.

If you’re in Austin, the wheel can be found at ‘The Green Zone, Powered By Nokia’ until 20 March.