As Faber later had to clarify, the concept of a “forever mouse” wasn’t an actual product but merely an idea. Her comment garnered so much attention that she had to confirm it wasn’t about any specific device.&nbsp;But, when seen in the right context, Faber’s words weren’t really about a mouse at all—they were about something much bigger. The widespread reaction missed the larger point she was making.Faber wasn’t simply hyping up her company with a hypothetical product. She was highlighting a paradigm-shifting movement in the tech industry—a rethinking of how we approach innovation, design, and, ultimately, technology itself.There is simply no running away from the fact that the tech industry has developed some pretty unsustainable habits over the past few decades - habits like planned obsolescence, short upgrade cycles, proprietary repair mechanisms and deliberately sub-par build qualities have contributed massively to our massive e-waste <a href="https://www.onio.com/article/batteryless-vs-better-recycling-iot-future.html">problem</a>.The sheer ridiculousness of this constant upgrade culture we see around us is all too tired a trope - it’s common knowledge at this point that we’ve allowed tech companies to bamboozle us with their scarcity-driven marketing.&nbsp;While the smartphone unequivocally represented a huge breakthrough in communication and information technology, it has now become emblematic of this economic sleight of hand that’s being perpetrated by tech giants - a carousel of perpetual consumption, where smartphones are released year after year accompanied by meticulously crafted marketing narratives designed to cloak their predecessors in a veil of inadequacy.&nbsp;These practices deplete rare earth minerals, place enormous amounts of strain on water reserves and contribute to the generation of millions of tonnes of electronic waste.&nbsp;It is <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/electronic-waste-(e-waste)#:~:text=Key%20facts,collected%20and%20recycled%20(2).">estimated</a> by the WHO that over 62 million tonnes of e-waste was produced in the year 2022! Of this, only a paltry 22.3% was formally recorded to have been recycled. These are truly terrifying numbers! We are fast approaching a point where we will be compelled to change course dramatically or face some seriously dire consequences.&nbsp;We’ve created a system (yes we’re all responsible for this!) that has normalised wastefulness and apathy towards precious natural resources. Faber’s forever mouse is emblematic of a new paradigm emerging among tech leaders who understand the precarity of this situation we find ourselves in - a paradigm that prioritises durability, repairability and sustainability over relentlessly churning out low-quality products and in turn, neglecting long-term welfare for short term gains.&nbsp;<h2>The Battery Problem</h2>15 billion batteries are produced every year! That’s a crazy number! Here’s another crazy number –&nbsp; 62 million tonnes of e-waste is generated every year, making its way into landfills and our oceans.&nbsp;This is a grave threat to all life on our planet.&nbsp;Batteries were once seen as a lifeline that would take us to a greener and more sustainable future. But today, the stark reality of batteries is there for everyone to see. Modern Li-ion batteries use rare minerals that are concentrated in specific parts of the world - Lithium and Cobalt for the most part.&nbsp;Lithium mining ravages water tables and wreaks havoc on local ecosystems. Cobalt is largely found in one country - the Democratic Republic of Congo - and is mined by child miners who get paid a pittance and end up developing chronic illnesses that severely impact their futures.The basic point we’re trying to get at is this - our massive global appetite for batteries is a huge red flag in terms of sustainability. For a number of years now, there has been a growing realization that we need a viable alternative power solution. Batteries are not the green power solution that they’re made out to be.&nbsp;<h2>The Rise of Energy Harvesting</h2>This is where energy harvesting technology enters the picture. What if our everyday devices could power themselves using ambient energy from their environment? It's not science fiction—it's happening right now.Energy harvesting technology allows devices to capture and utilize energy from various sources:<ul><li>Movement and vibration (kinetic energy)</li><li>Light (solar energy)</li><li>Temperature differences (thermal energy)</li><li>Radio frequency signals (RF energy)</li></ul>This technology is particularly suited for low-power devices like computer peripherals, which is why Faber's "forever mouse" concept isn't as far-fetched as it might seem. Modern ultra-low-power microcontrollers can operate on incredibly small amounts of energy—we're talking microwatts here. By harvesting energy from the environment, these devices can operate indefinitely without ever needing a battery change.<h2>Beyond the Mouse: A New Paradigm</h2>The implications of this technology extend far beyond just computer mice. Imagine a world where all your peripherals—keyboards, headsets, remote controls, game controllers—never need battery replacement. But it's more than just convenience; it's about fundamentally changing our relationship with technology.This new paradigm is built on several key principles:<h3>1. Durability by Design</h3>Durability is one the defining principles behind this new wave of forever devices. Products that are designed to last for decades and not just 3-4 years. High-quality materials and builds that stand the test of time and don’t ask for incessant upgrades.&nbsp;Moreover, modularity is a major part of this as well - modular designs that allow for repairs and upgrades.&nbsp;<h3>2. Software-First Innovation</h3>This is all about enabling continuous improvement through updates and rolling out new features without necessitating hardware replacements.&nbsp;Which means that devices get to have extended lifespans simply as a result of optimisation and sound design.&nbsp;<h3>3. Sustainable Materials</h3>This one’s pretty much a no-brainer. Recycled and recyclable components form the crux of sustainable design which is built around responsible sourcing and minimal environmental impact.<h2>The Economic Shift</h2>Critics might argue that such durable devices would hurt companies' bottom lines. However, this view is increasingly outdated. Companies like Logitech are recognizing that sustainability isn't just good for the planet—it's good for business:Customers are willing to pay premium prices for lasting quality. Over the course of their ownership, this would imply lower warranty and support costs - not to mention the brand loyalty that companies stand to build through commitment to ethical practices. Moreover, this also opens the doors to new revenue streams from software and services,.&nbsp;<h2>Technical Innovation Meets Environmental Responsibility</h2>The technology enabling this revolution is already here. Ultra-low-power microcontrollers, like <a href="http://ONiO.zero">ONiO.zero</a>, can operate on minimal energy while providing robust processing capabilities. These cutting-edge chips represent a quantum leap in energy efficiency, starting up from less than 1μW of power and seamlessly operating on various energy harvesting sources. They maintain reliable wireless connectivity while processing complex inputs, all with minimal power consumption, making them ideal for the next generation of sustainable devices.<h2>The Path Forward</h2>The shift to batteryless peripherals won't happen overnight, but the momentum is building. Industry leaders are recognizing that the future of consumer electronics lies not in planned obsolescence, but in creating lasting value through sustainable innovation. This monumental transition demands comprehensive industry collaboration on standards alongside sustained investment in energy harvesting research. Success will also depend on effective consumer education about sustainable technology and supportive policy frameworks for sustainable manufacturing practices.<h2>A New Chapter in Tech Evolution</h2>Faber's "forever mouse" concept represents more than just a product idea—it's a symbol of where technology needs to go. As we face increasing environmental challenges, the tech industry must evolve from being part of the problem to becoming part of the solution.The future of consumer electronics isn't about churning out endless new models or forcing unnecessary upgrades. It's about creating devices that last, that improve over time, and that respect both user needs and environmental constraints.<h2>Conclusion</h2>The transition to batteryless, sustainable peripherals represents a crucial step toward a more sustainable tech industry. It challenges us to rethink not just how we power our devices, but how we approach technology consumption as a whole.As we move forward, the success of this transition will depend on continued innovation in energy harvesting technology, commitment from industry leaders, and support from consumers who understand that the best technology is that which serves both human needs and environmental sustainability.The "forever mouse" might have been just a concept, but the future it represents is very real—and it's closer than we think. We're entering an era where technology can truly last forever, powered by the world around us, designed for durability, and built with the planet in mind.

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"‘The forever mouse is not just an idea—it’s a commitment to a future where tech doesn’t come at the planet’s expense”

This is a quote by Hanneke Faber, the CEO of Logitech. She made this remark during an interview with Verge, on their decoder podcast. She was talking about an idea for a mouse designed to last indefinitely - a mouse that could be upgraded through software updates rather than total replacement. A product design that places durability and repairability front and centre. 

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Beyond Batteries: The Future of Forever Devices

Senior Content Manager

Abishek Swaminathen

And that’s why we’re paying attention to the Internet of Military Things (IoMT).<h2>A Quiet Shift in the Field</h2>IoMT isn’t about flashy drones or sci-fi weaponry. It’s about infrastructure. Layers of small, silent devices — sensors, wearables, nodes — gathering data at the edges of operational environments and quietly pushing it back to decision-makers.The goal isn’t novelty. It’s awareness — real-time information that makes missions safer, faster, and more precise.But that awareness comes at a cost: power.<h2>The Battery Tax</h2>Every device you deploy is a device you have to account for. Charge. Replace. Recharge. Keep track of. And in high-risk, high-complexity environments, battery logistics become their own shadow mission.That’s not news to anyone in defense. Entire ops structures exist just to support power.So when we talk about batteryless sensing, we’re not pitching magic. We’re asking: What happens if the smallest, least critical devices didn’t need batteries at all?<h2>What We Bring to the Table</h2>ONiO.zero isn’t a mil-spec platform. It’s not hardened for frontline combat. But it’s been designed, from silicon upward, to operate with almost no power.It cold-starts from &lt;1μW. It runs without firmware. It harvests energy from RF, light, heat, or motion. And it’s already being used in consumer and industrial applications where battery swaps simply aren’t an option.We’re not here to replace your radios. We’re here to ask: Could your most disposable, hard-to-access, or risk-sensitive sensing nodes run on their own — quietly and indefinitely?<h2>Think in Terms of Roles</h2>A drone may need batteries.A soldier’s HUD may need batteries.But a vibration sensor zip-tied under a convoy axle? That could be energy-autonomous.A node buried in snow, checking environmental drift? That could run on harvested energy.A passive contact sensor embedded in a box that might never open? Same.<h2>It’s Not About Going Batteryless Everywhere</h2>It’s about going batteryless where it makes sense.In defense, where deployment costs are high and maintenance can be risky, even small reductions in battery dependency can mean real strategic gain.Fewer site visits. Fewer logistical dependencies. Lower thermal signatures. Less risk.<h2>We're Not Pretending to Know It All</h2>We’re not writing this as experts in military doctrine. We’re writing as engineers who think in constraints. And when we look at the way military sensing is scaling, we see an obvious constraint that’s still being accepted as default: the battery.It won’t go away. But we’re building hardware that makes it less necessary.If you’re thinking about the future of sensing in defense — particularly the quiet, cheap, critical-but-not-complex parts — we’d love to show you what ONiO.zero can do.Because sometimes, the smartest thing a device can do… is need nothing at all.

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We’re not defense contractors. We don’t build missiles or radar systems. But we know what it means to design for the edge — where there’s no power socket, no second chance, and failure means a whole lot more than just inconvenience.

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The Industry of Military Things — Rethinking Power at the Edge

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Our oceans are dying - It sounds sensationalist but the grim fact of the matter is that this is literally the case - the blue seas that make up over 70% of the earth’s surface are under serious threat. In this post, we take a deep dive into this problem and explore how batteryless IoT technology could be leveraged to try and mitigate this crisis. 

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Is IoT Technology Going To Help Salvage Our Ocean Crisis?

<div class="raw-html-embed"><div id="elevenlabs-audionative-widget" data-height="90" data-width="100%" data-frameborder="no" data-scrolling="no" data-publicuserid="6c21a9b7ad57703231dc05932a21048d408feec7404ccb881f833127d05d8391" data-playerurl="https://elevenlabs.io/player/index.html" data-projectid="EK1A8lqFLj7Bo9T0cmTf">Loading the <a href="https://elevenlabs.io/text-to-speech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elevenlabs Text to Speech</a> AudioNative Player...</div><script src="https://elevenlabs.io/player/audioNativeHelper.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>Understandable right? It’s probably par for the course to be a little jaded with all the sustainability stuff that we’re being bombarded with on the internet. There’s so much sanctimony, name calling, finger pointing, partisanship and doomsaying that we find ourselves just throwing our hands up in exasperation.&nbsp;What’s the point even? It’s just depressing!It doesn’t need to be though.&nbsp;There seems to be this popular notion floating about that things have never been as bad as they are today.&nbsp;Are we sure about this?Forget about arriving at some overarching, comprehensive conclusion that takes ALL the variables into account - if that’s even possible - but if we only looked around us and compared our lives to that of our grandparents or great-grandparents, there’s a lot to be thankful for.&nbsp;Smallpox - I mean, think about it - that couldn’t have been fun!There’s so much pessimism and maybe worse&nbsp; - so much certainty about the fact that things have never been worse - which is probably not true, all things considered.Make no mistake, we ARE up against some pretty monumental challenges - the battery waste crisis, soil pollution, deforestation, mass extinctions - you name it!&nbsp;but it’s not all bad - we’ve given a good account of ourselves with a lot of stuff - more people than ever before have access to education, wealth, personal safety and social opportunities. We have the internet! Woohoo!We’ve created a world where people from one country can move to another without necessarily being attacked for looking different.&nbsp;Where are you going with all this?What we’re getting at is this - do conversations around sustainability and ecology necessarily have to be the kind that cause jaded resignment?&nbsp;Is there a better way to talk about these topics?Could we frame these collective issues in a better way? In a way that actually allows for more creativity, positivity and solutions - rather than negativity, pessimism, anxiety and divisiveness?<h1>Not The Worst Times</h1>As we mentioned earlier, a lot of things are working well in today’s world - we really need to get to terms with this fact. The <a href="https://upworthyscience.com/steven-pinker-data-shows-that-life-today-is-better-than-ever/">statistics</a> bear this out as well - maybe this idea comes from a very myopic perspective - one not informed by a study of history perhaps.&nbsp;If only we flipped through the pages of history and saw how hopeless we were for most of our history - what with wars, famines, diseases and poverty - we wouldn’t be quite so certain in dismissing the modern world so completely; for all its problems, it does have a lot going for itself.Why are we stuck on this point?Because this is probably one of the most significant underlying reasons for our negativity and pessimism around topics of sustainability - that we think we are the only generation of people to have ever faced huge challenges in the world.&nbsp;That’s simply not true.&nbsp;Living on this planet has always been a tenuous, scary and precariously uncertain proposition - if anything, more so in the past than today.&nbsp;Maybe we just have access to a lot more information on a global scale than people did in the past - maybe this creates the illusion that there’s something wrong all the time. Our nervous systems are always in a state of panic - high alert!And then no wonder we make these dreadful conclusions about these “terrible” times that we live in - as if it was a foregone conclusion that we’re the most unlucky generation of people ever to roam the face of earth.&nbsp;This can’t be coming as a surprise to anyone though - Come on - we’re pretty negativity biased as individuals - it would only stand to reason that we’d be negativity biased as a collective as well.&nbsp;See, the thing is - the human nervous system is designed in a way to prioritise negatively valenced stimuli, information and feedback over positive ones.Why is that, you ask?Well, to flog an already overworked cliche - picture our prehistoric ancestors - the ones who were the most la-di-da just weren’t as good at survival as the ones who were super sensitive to paranoia about getting mauled to death by a sabertooth tiger -&nbsp;We’re oversimplifying - but you get the gist.&nbsp;This negative bias exists to help us survive. The pain caused by unfavourable situations and outcomes outweighs the pleasure caused by positive situations and outcomes - this helps us survive.&nbsp;Dr.Jordan Peterson expresses the same sentiment rather succinctly when he says&nbsp;“well it’s because you can be absolutely dead and you can only be so happy”OK now,&nbsp;Back to the matter at hand….The facts seem to suggest that we’re miles ahead of any other group of people to have inhabited this planet across a whole bunch of metrics.&nbsp;And yet, we’re all so doom and gloom about things.&nbsp;See, we’re not naive optimists. Like we mentioned earlier, it IS true that we are up against some pretty TITANIC challenges that we’ll have to find some immediate answers to if we intend to keep this party going.&nbsp;But that doesn’t call for doom and gloom, does it?Urgency? Yes, for sure.&nbsp;Global cooperation, common sense, collective responsibility - yes, yes, yes - all of that!But not doom and gloom!&nbsp;Doom and gloom isn’t going to help us. Innovating might help us. Sharing ideas might help us. But collective despair isn’t going to take us very far unfortunately.&nbsp;There might even be a case to make that all this chaos that we’re unfurling on the planet is down to us feeling so crummy and trying to make ourselves feel better with more stuff.&nbsp;Granted, that’s a wild oversimplification but it’s not entirely without credence.&nbsp;Our overconsumption is a coping mechanism for all sorts of negativity. If anything, more doomsday prophesying is only going to make our problems worse.&nbsp;<h1>The cheerful, optimistic case for sustainability</h1>Look, we’re making a mess of the planet.&nbsp;There’s no two ways about that. We simply have to face the facts. Whether we like it or not, we’re being faced with some pretty big challenges that are not simply going to disappear.&nbsp;But here’s the thing.&nbsp;Can we be more optimistic with it?Can we bring a sense of lightness to it?Hey - we’re just asking questions here. We’re no experts. But this is what we think.&nbsp;We do need to talk about this stuff. The more we talk about this stuff, the more our chances of actually being able to come up with powerful solutions.&nbsp;And make no mistake, we do need to do more than talk as well. More people talking about sustainability is good but that isn’t enough in itself.&nbsp;We need to take action.&nbsp;We need to implement real changes to the way we do things. Change our collective habits. Come up with new ways of doing things.&nbsp;None of this is optional. None of this can be wished away.&nbsp;But again, none of this is cause for doom and gloom. Seriousness isn’t going to solve the problem.&nbsp;In fact, it might just do the opposite.&nbsp;It might create so much subconscious resistance and fear in us that we choose to ignore these problems altogether. That would be a proper disaster.&nbsp;In fact that’s already what’s going on in many ways.&nbsp;For many of us, sustainability is a pet issue that we love to talk about.&nbsp;We love talking about it, making noise around it and pointing fingers at those we think are responsible.&nbsp;But then, we go back to our usual ways - overconsumption, apathy and haphazardness.&nbsp;This is not helping the planet.And, it definitely isn’t helping us.&nbsp;Here’s an alternative.What if we reverse the equation?What if we replace doom and gloom with cheerful optimism - and replace the apathy and overconsumption with concerted action, mindful consumption and more environmentally sensible behaviour?Doesn’t that just immediately sound like a better way of going about things?And it’s not just a psychological hack either - in spite of all the negativity around the topic, there is actually quite a lot of reason to cheer.&nbsp;Contrary to the narrative that the world is falling apart, there is actually quite a bit of evidence to suggest the contrary - we are seeing a massive uptick in various measures of human wellness.&nbsp;Take a look at the infographic below for instance - it’s very telling -&nbsp; we’ve never done better than we are doing right now in terms of wealth, education or health.&nbsp;But you might say - “hey! but those are not sustainability markers”Fair enough - but worries about sustainability are just a tiny bit downstream from worries about the state of the world overall - we tend to be pessimistic about current issues - this makes it difficult for us to see these challenges in the right context.&nbsp;We tend to forget that life on earth has always been rife with challenging situations and things have actually never been better.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/onio/image/upload/v1722258758/World_as_100_people_2024_1350_78d637cbff.png" alt="World-as-100-people-2024_1350.png"><figcaption>Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/a-history-of-global-living-conditions'</figcaption></figure><h2>Looking Ahead</h2>These are exciting times to live in.&nbsp;Modern technology allows us to come together, globally, like never before.&nbsp;The challenges we are faced with are daunting - but our capabilities are pretty incredible too.&nbsp;Let’s replace pessimism with resolute grit. Apathy with urgency. Despair with focused action and worry with relentless cheer.Relax. We got this!

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Here we go. Another environmental sustainability article that’s going to fill us with existential dread and powerlessness. 

mmm no thanks!

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Is there a better way to talk about sustainability?

ONiO is an IoT company specializing in crafting self-powered microcontrollers that run on nanowatts harvested from their surroundings.

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ONiO is a fabless IoT company specialising in batteryless microcontrollers that run on energy harvesting. We are deeply committed to crafting viable clean-energy solutions for IoT devices, breaking them free from the battery. ONiO.zero can use virtually any RF, thermal, solar, piezo signal as a power source. 

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 The power of Zero is undeniable The people behind ONiO Kjetil Meisal Vemund Bakken Runar Finanger Ronan Barzic Related Pages Products Articles The Big Picture The Team 
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                            With billions of IoT nodes and sensors set to power our future, reducing dependence on disposable batteries is critical. ONiO.zero-based solutions make IoT smarter and greener by enabling sustainable designs that minimize waste and unlock new possibilities. Together, we can create a future where innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
                         We envisioned an IoT future where power solutions are smarter, more sustainable, and designed to meet the needs of tomorrow. That’s why we created ONiO.zero—a microcontroller that can run 100% on energy from its surroundings. Whether you’re designing battery-free solutions or dramatically extending battery life, ONiO.zero delivers unmatched efficiency with zero compromises.

Zero limitations—A world of potential.  CEO CTO CMO Director IC Design

ONiO is the company behind ONiO.zero - a batteryless and wireless microcontroller. ONiO’s team is home to some of the brightest engineering minds in the Semiconductor world and so much more.

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Get clued in Your Power Your Choice Smaller Bill Of Material Power Freedom.  Zero maintenance.   IoT Unleashed Power Independence for a connected world. Redefining Retail with
Batteryless ESLs What's next?  Energy Harvesting Everything IoT About ONiO Join us ONiO - Power your way! Get started The lowest power MCU - 22µW/MHz Join our team of innovators Invest in us Learn More Learn More  ONiO.zero is an easy to use wireless microcontroller that works with any power source - from ambient energy to batteries. That's what we call power freedom. Instead of playing with pennies - we turned to the dollar. We integrated radio, mcu, memories and PMIC in a single package.  Slash maintenance costs with battery-free operation or extended battery life. Now that's something your customer wants to hear. IoT liberated from power constraints. Whether battery-free or ultra-long battery life, there's no limit to where IoT can go. ONiO.zero is the world’s first wireless microcontroller designed for total power flexibility — from energy harvesting to ultra-low-power battery operation. Our batteryless ESLs – the perfect blend 
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and technology.

ONiO is a fabless IoT company specializing in batteryless microcontrollers that run on ambient energy. ONiO.zero can use virtually any RF, thermal, solar, piezo signal as a power source. Our aim is to unshackle one IoT device at a time from the battery, en route to a 100% battery-free IoT future. Our product offers manufacturers a more minimalist, user-friendly, economical and environmentally sustainable power solution for IoT devices. 

Our team includes some of Europe’s brightest minds, all geared up to tackle the big sustainability challenges in the electronics industry with cutting-edge tech and green solutions. Here’s a shoutout to our incredible partners:<ul><li><a href="https://www.onio.com/">ONiO AS</a> (Norway): Leading with ultra-low power microcontrollers for energy harvesting.</li><li><a href="https://www.epishine.com/">Epishine AB</a> (Sweden): Organic photovoltaics optimized for indoor light.</li><li><a href="https://lignaenergy.se/">Ligna Energy AB</a> (Sweden): Innovating eco-friendly supercapacitors from renewable materials.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.jivamaterials.com/">Jiva Materials Ltd</a> (UK): Crafting fully recyclable and biodegradable PCB laminates.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.4modtechnology.com/">4MOD Technology SAS</a> (France): Developing next-gen remote controls.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.pricer.com/">Pricer AB</a> (Sweden): At the forefront of innovation with electronic shelf labels (ESL) that enable automated, real-time price updates, boosting efficiency and accuracy for retailers.</li></ul><h2>Project Overview and Goals</h2>The SELECT project is all about creating a new, scalable platform for energy harvesting (EH) using sustainable electronic components. Here’s what we’re cooking up for the platform:<ul><li>Utilizing the ONiO.zero microcontroller tailored for extreme low power and EH (ONiO).</li><li>Modules for EH from radio frequency (ONiO) and photovoltaics (Epishine).</li><li>A bio-based supercapacitor (Ligna Energy) for energy storage.</li><li>A fully recyclable and biodegradable PCB laminate (Jiva Materials).</li></ul>This platform is designed for a bunch of IoT and small electronics applications, kicking off with electronic shelf labels (ESLs) and remote controls. We’re tackling the industry’s reliance on polluting materials and greenhouse gas-heavy processes, offering a truly sustainable alternative for self-powered electronics. &nbsp;<h2>Why This Matters</h2>The electronics industry, especially the IoT and small electronics segment, is grappling with huge sustainability issues. Traditional solutions rely on disposable or rechargeable batteries that are pricey, high-maintenance, and bad for the environment. SELECT aims to ditch these for energy-harvesting tech that draws power from ambient sources like light and radio frequencies. By eliminating batteries, SELECT plans to slash the environmental footprint of electronic devices, from production to disposal. It’s not just about high-tech; it’s about a greener, more sustainable future for electronics.<h2>Customer Cases</h2>The SELECT project is all set to show off its potential with two exciting customer cases:<ul><li>Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL): Pricer AB is at the forefront of innovation with its electronic shelf label (ESL) solutions, enabling automated and real-time price updates without the need for manual intervention. These cutting-edge ESLs offer retailers a seamless and efficient way to manage pricing dynamically, improving operational efficiency and ensuring accuracy across all product displays.</li><li>Remote Controls: Have you ever dreamt of a remote control that never needs battery replacements? 4MOD Technology SAS is making that a reality with their next-gen remotes powered entirely by ambient energy. Say goodbye to hunting for batteries and hello to a sustainable future.</li></ul><h2>Economic and Environmental Impact</h2>This grant is a massive boost, helping us and our partners push the boundaries of sustainable electronics. SELECT promises:<ul><li>Reduced Environmental Impact: Using renewable materials and sustainable processes, we’ll cut down the environmental impact of electronic components.</li><li>Cost-Effective Solutions: Offering top-notch technical performance and sustainability, while staying competitive with conventional alternatives.</li><li>Market Growth: Boosting market prospects and sales for all involved, creating synergies and growing the energy harvesting market.</li></ul>We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the <a href="https://eurekanetwork.org/programmes/eurostars/">Eurostars program</a> for the support. This initiative is vital for fostering innovation and sustainability in the tech industry.Stay tuned as we embark on this exciting journey towards a sustainable future in electronics. We’ll keep you updated on our progress through regular updates on our website and social media channels. Follow ONiO and our partners for more updates on the progress of the SELECT project.

ONiO, along with an elite group of innovators, has secured a sizable grant for our SELECT project (Sustainable Electronics for Energy Harvesting Applications). This game-changing project is directed towards developing a scalable platform for energy harvesting applications using sustainable electronic components. The total project cost is a whopping €3.1 million! 

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ONiO secures major Eurostars grant to revolutionize sustainable electronics with energy harvesting.

ONiO is thrilled to announce we've been granted an award by the <a href="https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/">Research Council of Norway</a> for a pioneering endeavor: developing batteryless sensor systems tailored for Precision Agriculture. These innovative sensors are set to revolutionize monitoring by focusing on key soil characteristics crucial for farmers - specifically, soil moisture, temperature, and nutrient content. Our goal? A transformative leap forward in deploying expansive sensor networks that smartly bolster agricultural practices. The plan is to engineer hardware that’s both affordable and simple to install - imagine sleek, low-profile units that can be effortlessly placed and left to do their job, gathering and transmitting data over their lengthy lifespan without the need for any wires, batteries, or maintenance whatsoever.The project is expected to pave the way for way more sustainable agriculture operations&nbsp; - influencing water and nutrient management, slashing the reliance on various inputs (like water, fertilizers, chemicals, and energy) and, by extension, significantly diminishing the environmental impact, all while boosting crop yields.Leading this venture is ONiO, in collaboration with <a href="https://sensonomic.com/">Sensonomic</a> and <a href="https://web.trondelagfylke.no/mare-landbruksskole">Maere Agricultural School</a>. Our role at ONiO is to spearhead the development and execution of all hardware aspects for these novel systems, leveraging our proprietary self-powered electronics technology. Sensonomic, with their expertise in crafting algorithms and software solutions for farmers, will play a crucial role in converting raw data into practical advice for enhancing farm productivity. Meanwhile, Maere Agricultural School is set to offer its facilities as a testing ground, aiding the consortium in deploying these systems under authentic agricultural conditions, from greenhouse environments to open-field settings.This project is receiving a generous boost from the Research Council of Norway, with a grant allocation of 11.9 million NOK under the <a href="https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/call-for-proposals/2023/innovation-project/">Innovation Project for the Industrial Sector program</a>, supporting our vision of smarter, more sustainable agriculture.

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Green fields ahead: ONiO Awarded Research Council Grant for developing batteryless sensor systems for Precision Agriculture

OSLO, NORWAY and NORRKÖPING, SWEDEN, January 30th, 2023 - ONiO®, a leader in ultra-low-power, batteryless microcontrollers, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Ligna Energy, known for their innovative and sustainable supercapacitors. This collaboration is a huge step towards a more green and eco-friendly Internet of Things (IoT) world.ONiO brings to the table the world's lowest-power microcontroller, setting a new benchmark in energy efficiency. When paired with Ligna Energy's green supercapacitors, which use forest-derived materials for minimal environmental impact, we get a delectable combination that promises both efficiency and sustainability by the bucket load!&nbsp;"Our partnership with Ligna Energy is more than just a technical collaboration; it's a shared vision for a sustainable IoT future, coming to life" states Kjetil Meisal, CEO of ONiO. "Their supercapacitors perfectly complement our microcontrollers, hugely boosting our ability to deliver environmentally conscious IoT solutions."Ligna Energy's S-Power 2S supercapacitors offer compatibility and efficiency that are a great fit with ONiO's innovative microcontrollers. This partnership aims to push the boundaries of what's possible in eco-friendly technology, reducing the carbon footprint and improving energy efficiency in IoT devices.Peter Ringstad, CEO of Ligna Energy, adds, "An important part of realizing the full potential of our supercapacitors is to optimize the energy efficiency of the system our component is integrated in. With ONiO’s revolutionizing microcontroller, we can support our customers with creating truly sustainable IoT devices.”&nbsp;The collaboration between ONiO and Ligna Energy represents a significant milestone in the quest for sustainable IoT solutions. It underscores both companies' dedication to innovation and a shared commitment to a more environmentally responsible technology landscape.<h2>About Ligna Energy</h2>Ligna Energy, based in Norrköping, Sweden, is an award-winning Swedish cleantech company known for its cutting-edge ultrathin supercapacitors.We believe in a future where technology and nature works close together. This philosophy is reflected in our unique material recipe that utilizes waste from forest industries, solving the challenges of battery waste while repurposing waste from other industries at the same time. Our products are produced with roll-to-roll methods, which results in a highly automated and stable volume production. &nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>About ONiO</h2>Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, ONiO® is an innovative fabless IoT company focused on developing advanced batteryless microcontrollers powered by ambient energy. Our mission is to revolutionize the IoT landscape by delivering clean-energy solutions that liberate devices from the constraints of traditional batteries. ONiO.zero, our line of versatile batteryless general-purpose microcontrollers, can efficiently harness power from a wide range of sources, including RF, thermal, light, and piezo.At ONiO, we envision a future where IoT devices are 100% battery-free, contributing to a more minimalist, user-friendly, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable ecosystem. By providing manufacturers with groundbreaking power solutions, we strive to transform&nbsp;If you’d like to know more about us and what we do, please give us a visit at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.onio.com"> www.onio.com </a>or follow us on our socials to stay updated on our latest product developments and news!<h3> Press Contact ONiO</h3>Runar Finanger, CMO <a href="mailto:runar.finanger@onio.com">runar.finanger@onio.com</a><h3> Press Contact Ligna Energy</h3>John Söderström, Marketing Director <a href="mailto:john.soderstrom@lignaenergy.com">john.soderstrom@lignaenergy.com</a> &nbsp;

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Uniting Wireless Batteryless Microcontrollers with Eco-Friendly Supercapacitors for a Sustainable IoT Future.

OSLO, NORWAY and STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, December 21, 2023 - ONiO®, a pioneer in the development of advanced batteryless microcontrollers, is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with Exeger, the innovators behind Powerfoyle™ solar cell technology. Together, the alliance marks a decisive and significant step towards a sustainable future, transforming the IoT and consumer electronics landscape. ONiO chooses Powerfoyle as their preferred solar cell technology for product integration.&nbsp;The collaboration will focus on developing devices that can draw power from any light source, whether natural outdoor or ambient indoor. Through the integration of Powerfoyle, devices operate with complete autonomy, while remaining 100% batteryless in order to help eliminate the alarming impact that disposable battery waste has on the environment."Selecting Powerfoyle as the preferred solar cell technology for ONiO was based on three clear advantages. Powerfoyle has world leading efficiency when integrated into products. Combined with best-in-class integration possibilities makes it the clear choice for product integration. World-leading companies have chosen Exeger as an exclusive solar cell supplier, giving ONiO a unique commercial opportunity through this partnership," states Kjetil Meisal, CEO of ONiO. "This partnership is about pioneering technology and championing a green revolution where devices are powered endlessly by clean energy—completely bypassing the need for traditional batteries."In recent evaluations alongside Exeger, ONiO has demonstrated a groundbreaking advantage over today's state-of-the-art technologies. ONiO.zero microcontrollers power up in just a few seconds, significantly outpacing the tens of minutes required by current leading technologies. This rapid activation, particularly in low-light scenarios, perfectly complements Exeger's Powerfoyle technology, renowned for its seamless transition between indoor and outdoor lighting environments. This synergy signals a new frontier in the world of IoT devices, and ushers in the next generation of efficient, batteryless devices that are not just ready for immediate operation but also redefine the benchmarks for cold-start capabilities.&nbsp;“Joining forces with ONiO marks a significant step forward in our joint mission to develop more sustainable products for the IoT market”, adds Oscar Hemberg, Chief Product Integration Officer at Exeger. “Collaborating with industry pioneer ONiO, illustrates the widespread demand and possibilities for integrating Powerfoyle solar cell technology. In addition, this partnership recognizes a natural fit, with Exeger complementing ONiO as it continues to reduce waste in the development of advanced batteryless microcontrollers.” &nbsp;ONiO and Exeger's partnership combines ONiO's advanced microcontrollers with Exeger's Powerfoyle technology, driving forward the development of sustainable, low-maintenance electronics. This collaboration is geared towards ushering in a new era where sustainable energy is seamlessly integrated into our daily lives.&nbsp;<h2>About Exeger</h2>Exeger is a Swedish company with a unique solar cell technology that converts all forms of light into electrical energy. This material, Powerfoyle, is the world’s only fully customizable solar cell. Thanks to its unique design properties, it can be integrated seamlessly into any electronic device. &nbsp;Powerfoyle enhances every product it is integrated into with extended or even unlimited battery life, putting the power of cutting-edge solar cell technology directly in the hands of people. Exeger is leading the way to energy independence through more sustainable and user-friendly products – with the vision to touch the lives of a billion people by 2030. For more information visit <a href="https://www.exeger.com/">www.exeger.com</a> | <a href="https://www.powerfoyle.com/">www.powerfoyle.com</a><h2>About ONiO</h2>Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, ONiO is an innovative fabless IoT company focused on developing advanced batteryless microcontrollers powered by ambient energy. Our mission is to revolutionize the IoT landscape by delivering clean-energy solutions that liberate devices from the constraints of traditional batteries. ONiO.zero, our line of versatile batteryless general-purpose microcontrollers, can efficiently harness power from a wide range of sources, including RF, thermal, light, and piezo.At ONiO, we envision a future where IoT devices are 100% battery-free, contributing to a more minimalist, user-friendly, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable ecosystem. By providing manufacturers with groundbreaking power solutions, we strive to transform the way IoT devices are designed, deployed, and maintained, one device at a time.For more information, please visit our website at <a href="https://www.onio.com">www.onio.com</a>, and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date with the latest product developments and company news.&nbsp;<h3>Press Contact ONiO</h3>Runar Finanger, CMO <a href="mailto:runar.finanger@onio.com">runar.finanger@onio.com</a><h3>Press Contact Exeger</h3>Karin Carlström <a href="mailto:karin.carlstrom@exeger.com">karin.carlstrom@exeger.com</a> +46 70 358 2911 &nbsp;&nbsp;

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ONiO and Exeger Partnership: Energizing IoT and Consumer Electronics with Sustainable Solar Technology

ONiO.zero Get started with ONiO.zero ONiO ULPMark®-CoreMark score Want to talk? Benefits Energy Harvesting Key Features Want to talk? Environmental Benefits ONiO.zero A miniaturised green powerplant One Chip Many Benefits High Integration. Smaller BOM. Power Freedom. Your Way. IoT Unleashed Ambient Energy Features that redefine power MCU Radio Peripherals Energy source Operation conditions Memory Material Savings (Kilo Tons) The planet says Thank you! Scarce Supply Unsustainable ONiO.zero is a tiny but mighty wireless microcontroller designed to revolutionize the way your devices are powered. Whether by eliminating batteries altogether or dramatically extending their lifespan, ONiO.zero unlocks a future of smarter, more sustainable technology. Think of it as a micro-powerplant that seamlessly integrates into your device, powering it for life—or making batteries last far longer than you ever thought possible. Not only do you get better performance, more flexibility and substantial usability gains - It’s also way easier on your pocket. By combining radio, MCU, memories, and PMIC into a single package, we’ve simplified design and reduced component costs. That’s better for your budget and your devices. Go battery-free or extend battery life dramatically. Reduce maintenance costs and deliver solutions that last longer and work smarter. IoT liberated from power constraints. Whether battery-free or ultra-long battery life, there's no limit to where IoT can go. Grafted on a tiny piece of silicon, you have electrical circuitry to accumulate even the smallest amounts of energy. This nano sized power house enables you to execute programs, connect to external sensors, and communicate wirelessly. A goldmine waiting to be tapped. ONiO.zero is a milestone in utilising renewable energy to power microelectronics -  a future where RF, solar, piezo and thermoelectric energy is harnessed and put to work for us! Based on expected number of IoT devices in 2035 Batteries have powered incredible advancements—but they come at a cost.They contribute to waste, strain resources, and harm ecosystems.ONiO is leading the charge toward a smarter future with solutions that reduce battery reliance, extend their life, or eliminate them entirely. Together, we can power the Internet of Things sustainably. RISC-V 16/32-bit architecture (RV32IMC). High code density with compressed instructions. 4.1 Coremark/MHz. 22uW/MHz. Self starts from  2kV; latchup > 100mA. 64KB ULP Flash, 64KB ROM, 8KB SRAM.  Demand for Cobalt will outstrip supply by the year 2030 - Cobalt is an essential component in the batteries that power our modern-day consumer electronics. A move to energy harvesting will reduce our dependence on non-renewable minerals such as LIthium, Cobalt, Manganese etc. There’s a massive humanitarian cost to every single battery that we use and throw - Lithium and Cobalt mining leave thousands of children sick for life and devastates entire communities in South America and Africa. Progress simply can’t be this loopsided and cruel. 

ONiO.zero is a versatile, battery-free microcontroller with unprecedented ultra-low power efficiency, enabling energy harvesting and dramatically extended battery life across diverse applications.

ONiO.zero: Nano-Watt MCU - Redefining Power Efficiency

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ONiO secures major Eurostars grant to revolutionize sustainable electronics with energy harvesting.

Green fields ahead: ONiO Awarded Research Council Grant for developing batteryless sensor systems for Precision Agriculture

Uniting Wireless Batteryless Microcontrollers with Eco-Friendly Supercapacitors for a Sustainable IoT Future.

ONiO and Exeger Partnership: Energizing IoT and Consumer Electronics with Sustainable Solar Technology

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ONiO.zero: Nano-Watt MCU - Redefining Power Efficiency

Products

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A greener future:

89 results for 'environmental'

Popular Searches

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Articles /

Beyond Batteries: The Future of Forever Devices

The Industry of Military Things — Rethinking Power at the Edge

Is IoT Technology Going To Help Salvage Our Ocean Crisis?

Is there a better way to talk about sustainability?

News /

ONiO secures major Eurostars grant to revolutionize sustainable electronics with energy harvesting.

Green fields ahead: ONiO Awarded Research Council Grant for developing batteryless sensor systems for Precision Agriculture

Uniting Wireless Batteryless Microcontrollers with Eco-Friendly Supercapacitors for a Sustainable IoT Future.

ONiO and Exeger Partnership: Energizing IoT and Consumer Electronics with Sustainable Solar Technology

General /

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ONiO.zero: Nano-Watt MCU - Redefining Power Efficiency

Watch:
The Power of Zero