Sony unveils hand-powered digital camera

Sony on Thursday unveiled a prototype digital camera shaped like a pizza cutter with a wheel that can be turned to generate enough power to take pictures.

The 'Twirl 'N' Take' camera generates enough electricity for one snap if the the wheel is moved for some 15 seconds. What its made up of? A digital camera similar to those used in mobile phones is installed in a handle attached to the wheel, which is equipped with a power-generating device.

Moving the wheel and taking pictures would appeal to children but the company has no immediate plan to commercialise it. As the camera has no screen monitor, users must connect the device to a computer to see their pictures. Should be a great gift for children but not for us adult.

The camera is the latest addition to Sony's 'odo' line of hand-powered prototypes aimed at raising environmental awareness. Other products include a 'Crank 'N' Capture' video camera, which is charged by cranking a lever, and a 'Spin 'N' Snap' camera, which has a hole to enable users to spin it with their finger.