Design Type:  Product: Computer Equipment

Designer:  Yves Behar

The nonprofit One Laptop per Child (OLPC), formed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology by Nicholas Negroponte, is dedicated to creating and supporting an innovative child-sized laptop. Due to the target destination of the laptops, alternative methods of for creating and harnessing power were needed in these remote locations. This solution needed to be easy to operate, resistant to the elements typical of a developing nation and extend the iconic nature of the OLPC identity. The Yoyo unit solves the problem of a lack of available resources and enables the OLPC XO Laptop to further connect aid the developing population. We designed the Yoyo with the engineering support of Squid Labs/Potenco. The Yoyo has innovative features, which ensure the robust and durable nature of the product. With an integrated handle and strap design, the product consists of one unified part, reducing the size even further. The strap is looped through the unit allowing for easy connection to a chair leg, tree branch, etc and resistant against the mechanical force exerted by the user. The handle snaps back into the unit, echoing the radius, in order to avoid excess pieces and to provide protection while in transport. The Yoyo unit is also designed with ergonomic concerns in mind. The last consideration that went into the design of the Yoyo unit was the environment that it would be used in. The unit is one solid piece of plastic with an integrated handle, which acts as a further seal to prevent elements from affecting the unit. The Yoyo is resistant to water, dust, and is also drop resistant.