The keyboard uses super capacitors which are much longer lasting than lithium batteries, it also has an optional wired connection port.
Comment on Look Ma, No Batteries! Hands On With Lenovo's Self-Charging Keyboard
adespoton@lemmy.ca 1 week ago
I’ve got a battery-free efficient keyboard already… it uses this cable connected to the computer to supply power when keys are pressed. Very energy efficient. Never needs to charge.
JaymesRS@literature.cafe 1 week ago
jerakor@startrek.website 1 week ago
I think this looks great. I’m not going to run a 20 foot USB cable accross my living room so wireless is pretty much a must. I think the only concern I have is if it discharges if I store it and if so what the bringup time would be.
adespoton@lemmy.ca 1 week ago
Good point; I’ve used a USB extender that had WiFi at either end to handle the distance thing. Maybe it’s just me, but outside of laptops I don’t generally have a need to move my keyboards around much.
Boomkop3@reddthat.com 1 week ago
No lithium, it’s got a capacitor. Those things can handle a lot of charge cycles
B0rax@feddit.org 1 week ago
But they still have a limited lifetime of a maximum of 10 years, regardless of cycle count.
Boomkop3@reddthat.com 1 week ago
I suppose you’ll have to do a 10$ repair on your decade old keyboard, and recycle the remains
saigot@lemmy.ca 1 week ago
Where are you getting that number? There are many different types of supercapacitors, which cary in lifespan wlquite a bit and the conditions (mostly voltage and temp) also have a big impact. The article doesn’t specify the type of cap used.
For instance this paper tests a supercapacitor rated for 2.7V at 2.5 and 3v. At 2.5v the cap is estimated to have a lofespan of 100yrs, with 3v scenario it’s 10.
Keyboards don’t get very hot, and the voltage draw is very predictable so I don’t think designing a long lasting capacitor for this usecase is particularly tricky.
I would be worried about the lifespan of the solar panel.