Sony shows off stylish Hana-Akari solar-powered lamp prototype

We've seen a few attempts to turn solar cells into something a tad more fashionable, but this new so-called Hana-Akari prototype from Sony goes quite a bit further than most, with it employing a newfangled "dye-sensitized" technique to spruce up the otherwise drab solar cells. Apparently, Sony not only sees those being used to power the lamp itself (which appears to use LED lights), but other devices as well, although it seems to be keeping expectations somewhat in check by only showing it with a small fan. As you might have guessed, there's no indication of a release date for any actual products just yet, or a price for that matter, but Sony says that the dye-sensitized process itself is both cheap and effective.

[Via BoingBoing Gadgets]

[BlurMagic @ Dec 11th 2008 2:47PM]

Yes! Now my light is camouflaged to blend in with the rest of the forest where I hug my tree!!!


The only thing im excited about is the, "other products" mention.

[Sonyfanboy @ Dec 11th 2008 5:29PM]

owner of

Bravia 42 inch
Vaio desktop with 26 inch bravia display
Vaio tt
..PS3. ugh

talk about brand loyality (i even splurged on the damn Blue tooth remote) Where is the brands loyality to the consumer..?

make good on your statments sony
OH YEA, WE WANT NETFLIX. make good now!

[Poom @ Dec 11th 2008 6:09PM]

Did you reply to the correct article?

[Sea Urchin @ Dec 11th 2008 3:21PM]

GOURGEOUS

[Jon Acheson @ Dec 11th 2008 5:11PM]

Gotta agree, that is gorgeous.

Probably only puts out enough light for mood lighting, but that would be ok in this instance.

[Cybergypsy @ Dec 11th 2008 3:31PM]

Proud to be a tree hugger!

[Uncontrol @ Dec 11th 2008 3:35PM]

sony if i had sunlight i wouldn't need a lamp

[JerkfacedFed @ Dec 11th 2008 3:51PM]

first thing that came to mind...another brilliant sony product next to the sony battleship screen door with integrated bluray.

[someone @ Dec 11th 2008 4:32PM]

the thing is that these use solar cells, so that when there is light it charges the cells, and then the cells are used like batteries when it is needed, ie when there is no light

[redspear @ Dec 11th 2008 4:32PM]

You mean screen door on a submarine. If you can't get that right you should just "make like a tree and get out of here!"

[Que Pasa Cochino @ Dec 11th 2008 3:51PM]

That lamp is pretty damn trill

[KilgoreTrout @ Dec 11th 2008 4:12PM]

Spiro?

[chefgon_ign @ Dec 11th 2008 7:08PM]

Do they come with glow-in-the-dark sunglasses?

[Nate DiDonato @ Dec 12th 2008 7:14AM]

At first I read "Hara-kiri solar-powered" in the title... think I need to go to bed.

[Wwhat @ Dec 12th 2008 8:59AM]

Can it be? Something nice coming from sony? Something catering to the positive side of humanity? Where's the catch? There must be a catch.

[raider @ Dec 17th 2008 5:12PM]

why don't they have a lamp that shines on the solar cells = perpetual energy .. and it works inside !

[Oblivion Industries @ Sep 11th 2009 3:42PM]

im inventing that right now it will be released by winter 2010.
I'll fix this mess they put us in.