Who would’ve thought it? The technology now exists to power your portable device from your knee! We’re not pulling your leg. It’s absolutely true.

The knee-brace generator is being developed by Canadian and American scientists.

It’s our hamstring muscles that slow us as we walk, absorbing the energy of the steps we take. As the leg slows after each step, energy is dissipated at the knee. A knee brace can harness this energy, convert it to electricity and use it to power a device such as a cell phone, a GPS navigation unit, or even a heart pacemaker. It could even have far reaching implications in the military, enabling soldiers to lighten the load by carrying fewer batteries into battle. With one generator on each leg, up to five watts of electricity can be generated.

At the moment, the knee brace is only in prototype form, and a bit on the bulky side. The scientists hope to design something smaller and more comfortable in the near future with a view to commercializing it. With the knee brace generator you’ll be able to take your dog for a walk and cheaply charge your phone at exactly the same time.