rocco the energy pal by irina kozlovskaya from usa

As global citizens and designers, we aspire to look back on the 21st century as taking remarkable steps toward sustainable living and energy independence.

In order to inspire children born in the 21st century, we find it imperative to rethink green design’s role in early childhood development.

We are pleased to introduce “Rocco”, the first sustainable, energy generating Rocking Toy. In order for young generations to ideologically “leap-frog” into the green movement, Rocco couples youthful play with renewable energy generation, and places these concepts in the hands and lifestyle of our imaginative youth.

Rocco converts kinetic energy created through rocking into electricity. As a magnet moves back and forth through wire coils in the rockers, energy is generated and transferred to the handles. While docked in the toy, the handles are charged through inductive coupling. When fully charged, the handles can be removed and used as flashlights or nightlights.

Rocco is a great educational tool because it visualizes, explains, and quantifies energy for a child. Transparent rockers show the movement of the energy-generating magnet, while the brightness of light in the handles demonstrates the strength of charge. Rocco shows children that energy generation requires work; therefore power should be treasured, and conserved. It teaches them essential lessons of energy efficient lifestyle and sustainability; lessons which will be applied throughout their bright futures.