The sOccket generates and stores energy with an inductive coil mechanism. It can power a LED light or charge a cellphone or battery. The developers plan to sell a high-end version in the US and use the profits to give it away free in poor countries. They say it’s completely safe, weighs and acts about the same as a regulation soccer ball, and you can’t hurt yourself with it even if you do a header.
NY Times GreenInc has more.