Amid the laptop refreshes, monitor announcements, and general tomfoolery of CES 2024, there is the occasional product that catches the eye as something a bit different: Lenovo, perhaps better known for its laptops and desktop machines than its peripherals, today announced a new concept A proof-of-concept keyboard and mouse were unveiled.

It's called the Mechanical Energy Harvest Combo, and Lenovo says both peripherals charge using mechanical movement and solar radiation.

The concept is not particularly new, as the top of the keyboard incorporates what looks like a substantial solar panel to capture the precious sunlight. However, according to Lenovo, these devices also charge themselves by harnessing the mechanical energy needed to use them. This is because the more energy you put into the keys, the more these devices will be charged.

Yes, it seems that the email I hastily typed in anger is helping to save the planet. If, like me, you prefer to use your peripherals in the pleasant darkness of soft RGB glow, though, sunlight may be in short supply.

As for solar-powered technology, Logitech has been making solar-powered keyboards for some time now, and those of us who haven't completely blocked out our memories of our school days are familiar with solar-powered devices like pocket calculators from before.

But with the addition of mechanical energy charging, Lenovo says these new devices may eliminate the need for external charging altogether, but actual production models to test that claim do not seem imminent.

Still, it is interesting to imagine a near future in which our little devices will be able to charge simply by the act of using them.

_____________________________________ PC Gamer's coverage of CES 2024 is courtesy of Asus Republic of Gamers.