Forget the batteries! Samsung unveils new TV remote control powered by solar energy and radio waves from WiFi routers
- Samsung unveils new eco-friendly TV remote before CES 2022 in Las Vegas
- The device contains a receiving antenna that picks up radio waves from routers
- It contains a small solar panel and can be charged using indoor and outdoor light
- Samsung says it will help avoid wasting 99 million batteries in seven years
Samsung may have the solution to slam your TV remote against the coffee table to get the last drop of battery power.
Ahead of CES 2022 in Las Vegas, the tech giant unveiled a new TV remote control, called Eco Remote, which picks up radio waves from nearby home routers for power.
It also has solar panels on the back that can be charged by indoor and outdoor lighting, as well as a USB-C port as an additional charging option.
Samsung has said its new Eco remote will be included with all of its 2022 TVs, which are available in black or white.
The Samsung Eco Remote Control picks up radio waves from nearby home routers for power. The right shows solar panels on the back of the remote control
Samsung said its new, battery-free Eco remote will be included with all of its TVs released in 2022
The Korean company is looking to become more environmentally friendly, starting by completely phasing out batteries from the remotes of its smart TVs.
Eco Remote will help prevent the waste of around 99 million batteries over seven years, the company said.
At CES last year, Samsung unveiled a solar-powered version of the Eco remote, but this new version for 2022 also has the ability to harvest radio waves.
This gives users an additional charging option if there is little light for solar charging, according to the company.
“Whether it’s a sunny day or the middle of the night, the battery stays fully charged by collecting radio waves from routers and converting them into power,” Samsung said.
The new remote control contains a “receiving antenna” that picks up radio waves from routers up to 40 meters (130 feet).
The technology, called radio frequency (RF) harvesting, is already being used in identification tags and implantable electronic devices.
The Eco remote is made from recycled materials and has shortcuts for Netflix, Disney +, Amazon Prime Video, and Samsung TV Plus
RF recovery is only really achievable for low power devices like TV remotes, which is why it’s not seen in high intensity devices like smartphones.
Eco Remote could potentially be compatible with any router that emits electromagnetic waves, such as a wired or wireless Internet router.
It could essentially be powered by the multiple radio waves that pass through homes and offices today to power modern smart technologies including 4G and 5G, GPS, and Bluetooth.
Samsung’s new Eco remote is also made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, “making it even greener,” according to the company.
Promotional images show that it also has shortcuts to streaming services Netflix, Disney +, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as Samsung TV Plus, the company’s own ad-supported streaming platform.
Samsung is expected to showcase the device at CES 2022, the annual consumer electronics show that takes place in Las Vegas each year, along with other new products.
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) closes a day earlier due to an increase in coronavirus cases in the United States, reducing the typical four days to just three
CES 2022 kicks off on Wednesday January 5 and will host an array of representatives from global technology companies.
CES will be hosted in person after going virtual last year due to coronavirus, although a number of large companies will not be making in-person appearances due to the Omicron variant.
Several large companies have pulled out of the in-person event, including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and TikTok, meaning that may not be the big comeback CES is hoping for.
