Just about everyone carries an USB flash drive around nowadays, and while the number of devices that are still powered by AA batteries, instead of rechargeable Li-Ion units is constantly decreasing, the truth of the matter is that combining these two concepts seems like a really interesting idea.
In fact, that's exactly what designer Wonchul Hwang did, as he recently
posted on Yanko Design the plans for a very interesting product, that actually combines an AA battery with an USB flash drive, providing both storage capabilities and power on the go.
The “AA USB”, as this thing has been called, actually incorporates an USB-rechargeable Li-Ion battery, as well as an external LED battery charge indicator, so that users will be able to know just how much juice there's left at any given moment.
The battery module is activated by twisting the drive's body, the same process pushing out or retracting the USB connector, that has a double duty when connected to a port on a computer: charges the internal battery and allows users to access the data stored on the flash drive module.
This is not the first USB-powered batteries we've ever come about, the
USB Cell being around ever since 2006, while
USB chargers for normal AA units are also nothing new.
However, that makes the design by Wonchul Hwang even more plausible and easier to turn into a real product, since actually putting into practice the design seems to be an easy-enough job for any skilled engineered (and there are plenty around, if we take a look at the latest consumer electronics to make their way onto the market).
Hopefully, the designer will be able to find some partners for the AA USB device, and who knows, maybe in a couple of years' time, we'll see these things actually arrive on the market.
Find us on Google+
