Japanese companies NEC Electronics and Soundpower Corporation have demoed a prototype remote control that doesn't require batteries.
Designed for use with everyday home appliances such as TVs, the remote generates its own power by using a vibration-based device developed by Soundpower. There's no thorough explanation of how it works just yet, but we're presuming it uses some form of piezoelectric effect to harvest energy from button presses.
Using tiny amounts of self-generated electricity, the remote is able to send signals to nearby devices.
Despite starting development in 2006, the remote remains at the prototype stage and its designers don't expect it to make it to retail until at least 2011. Nonetheless, it's bound to have the Energiser Bunny shaking in its boots.
