Greek 'solar' bench provides green solutions in an increasingly wired world

Presenting his ideas to the ANA-MPA on Monday, industrial designer Dimitris Haidas said his company was now working with the Thessaly Technological Educational Institute (TEI) Furniture and Wood Technology Design Department to make further improvements, such as reducing production costs, as well as improving safety and durability.

Haidas said the company was now working on various versions, while the concept was protected by patent.

The innovative park bench comes equipped with a solar 'roof' that powers two USB ports where the user can charge smartphones, tablets and other electronic gadgets. He said it provides a green solution to a problem everyone has faced at one time or another - running out of battery when far from home.

"I make a 'smart' combination of a piece of furniture - in this case a bench - with new technology, such as a solar panel, and convert the bench into a charging station. This is the start for the installation of green ideas in the urban environment," Haidas said.

He noted that the construction, in addition to wood, also used components produced by a 3D printer to make it cheaper and speed up delivery. A prototype built by the designer has been installed on a trial basis at the Larisa public pool.