Samsung offers its premium TVs with remotes that can charge using solar energy and radio waves, eliminating the need to change batteries every now and then. It also reduces waste generated by discarded batteries. Well, upcoming TVs and streaming boxes based on Google TV could also get a remote with self-charging capability.
TW Electronics, a brand that works with Google to design reference remotes for Android TV and Google TV devices, has showcased a new TV remote controller for Google TV devices at CES 2023. This new remote controller, developed in collaboration Exeger, can charge itself by using the indoor light. Enabling this feature is a photovoltaic panel at the bottom that converts light energy into electricity.
Currently, there’s no information about when this new self-charging remote from TW will hit the market. But whenever it does, expect it to ship with only premium Google TV devices, at least initially, as this remote most likely costs significantly more to manufacture compared to traditional Google TV remotes that operate using AAA/AA batteries.
Last year, Samsung showcased a remote that could charge using radio waves emitted by Wi-Fi routers at your home, but the company has not started shipping this remote with its TVs yet.
