Outdoor furniture generates clean energy

The all-wood benches use solar panels to generate electricity to charge built-in USB ports

Spotted: The Hungarian company Hellowood has designed a collection of smart wood furniture for schools and universities. The collection aims to brighten up schoolyards and promote sustainability.

The furniture is made with sustainably sourced wood and includes solar panels to charge USB ports. The solar panels are made using recycled plastic waste, and the wood comes from responsibly-managed forests.

Hellowood developed two different designs for the furniture: one is a lounge chair or bench, in a zig-zag shape, and the other is a “fluid cube” — three open sides with a bench built inside.

The furniture sets are already in use at one university, two high schools and an elementary school. Springwise has previously spotted a smart public bench that connects to the Internet of things.