New solar-powered headphones will have 'virtually unlimited battery life'

The headphones draw power from either solar or electric light (JBL)
The headphones draw power from either solar or electric light (JBL)

It’s one of the downsides of fancy new Bluetooth headphones - the moment when your hi-tech cans run out of batteries.

But it could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to headphones which charge up via solar energy, meaning that - in theory - they never run out.

Not yet on sale, manufacturer JBL has launched a crowdfunding page for the self-charging headphones, currently known as Reflect Eternal.

Solar cell-maker Exeger is working on the project, using material specifically engineered to generate power from indirect and indoor light, as well as from the sun.

READ MORE

Huge mysterious clouds could reshape our understanding of the universe

Easter Island statues under threat from ‘nose pick selfies’

We SHOULD be scared of climate change, says senior scientist

JBL anticipates that 2.5 hours outside each day is enough to keep the headphones going for unlimited listening between standard charging.

"We are looking forward to hearing from our customers and workshopping this sustainable technology with them in real time," said David Owens, vice president of business development at Harman, JBL's parent company.

"JBL has been working closely with our partners at Exeger to bring this cutting-edge solar technology into a headphone with JBL's legendary Pro Sound, and we hope our customers are as excited about it as we are.

"JBL is pleased to be working with the right partners to contribute where we can to a more sustainable future."

The device's Indiegogo page says: “The JBL Reflect Eternal charges itself by turning all light into energy.

“More light, more power, more playtime between charges... made possible by Exeger’s groundbreaking light charging material that transforms natural and artificial light into free, sustainable energy.’