Encore Player MP3

Freeplay Energy

A solar-powered radio with phone charging capabilities.

Courtesy of WHO Compendium 2021

Snapshot
Manufacturing & delivery
Performance & use
Research & standards
Feedback

Product description Brand name and product description

Encore Player MP3 is a solar-powered radio with the ability to charge a mobile phone. The radio also includes a task light. As a power backup, the unit can also be manually powered using a winding mechanism.

This product was selected for inclusion in WHO’s 2021 Compendium of Innovative Health Technologies for Low‐Resource Settings.

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

Worldwide

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

Freeplay Energy, UNICEF

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

85 USD

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Azuri 10W Quad Solar Home System, d.Light D180

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Goal 4: Quality education

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

Community members, teachers

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

The radios are manufactured in China. Components include external solar panel, an 8GB SD card, aerial kit, and mobile phone charging kit, among others.

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Patented

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

Direct sales

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

50,000+

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Type of service

Type of telecommunication service provided (Mobile Internet, Fixed Internet, Satellite service, other)

Radio

Telecommunication service required

Service needed for the product to work (Mobile data, SMS, voice, satellite, other)

Radio frequency

Fixed network connection required (Y/N)

Is a fixed connection needed for the product to work?

Additional device required

(Smartphone, feature phone, computer, tablet, other (specify), none)

A solar panel can be used to power the device

Two way communication (Y/N)

Battery life (hours)

30 hours

Network capacity

Max number of connected devices at the same time.

Unknown

Power requirements

(Uninterrupted prower supply (UPS), ocassional power supply [minimum time required], other)

1 W during active use

Average packet loss

Average jitter and packet loss to download/upload information

Unknown

Application

Network connectivity, education, behavior change, other

Radio, light

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

Encore Player MP3 can be powered with either a solar panel or hand-crank mechanism. The main components of the radio include the external solar panel, an 8GB SD card, aerial kit and mobile phone charging kit. SD cards can be pre-loaded with educational content for users. The radio is designed to be portable and includes a handle for carrying.

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Instruction manual pdf, pages 1, 2, and 3

Technical support Technical support provided by

Provided by the manufacturer

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

Battery

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

5-10 years

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

Designed for use in off-grid communities

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

Encore Player MP3 has been tested and certified for a number of standards, including audio and visual quality.

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

Freeplay Energy, SGS IECC Limited

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

No known safety hazards are related to this product

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

An external solar panel can be used to power the device

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

Yildiz, F., 2009, Potential Ambient Energy-Harvesting Sources and Techniques, Journal of Technology Studies, 35, pp. 40-48

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

SGS, EN 55013, EN 55020/A11, EN 55015, EN 61547, EN 61000-3-2/A1/A2, EN 61000-3-3

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

Performance testing

Other information

None

In context photographs (0)

You can use the form below to contribute a photo of this product.

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors

Please let us know your experience in using this product through comments below.

Snapshot

Product description Brand name and product description

This product was selected for inclusion in WHO’s 2021 Compendium of Innovative Health Technologies for Low‐Resource Settings.

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

Worldwide

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

Freeplay Energy, UNICEF

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

85 USD

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Azuri 10W Quad Solar Home System, d.Light D180

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Goal 4: Quality education

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

Community members, teachers

Manufacturing & delivery

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

The radios are manufactured in China. Components include external solar panel, an 8GB SD card, aerial kit, and mobile phone charging kit, among others.

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Patented

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

Direct sales

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

50,000+

Performance & use

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Type of service

Type of telecommunication service provided (Mobile Internet, Fixed Internet, Satellite service, other)

Radio

Telecommunication service required

Service needed for the product to work (Mobile data, SMS, voice, satellite, other)

Radio frequency

Fixed network connection required (Y/N)

Is a fixed connection needed for the product to work?

Additional device required

(Smartphone, feature phone, computer, tablet, other (specify), none)

A solar panel can be used to power the device

Two way communication (Y/N)

Battery life (hours)

30 hours

Network capacity

Max number of connected devices at the same time.

Unknown

Power requirements

(Uninterrupted prower supply (UPS), ocassional power supply [minimum time required], other)

1 W during active use

Average packet loss

Average jitter and packet loss to download/upload information

Unknown

Application

Network connectivity, education, behavior change, other

Radio, light

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Instruction manual pdf, pages 1, 2, and 3

Technical support Technical support provided by

Provided by the manufacturer

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

Battery

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

5-10 years

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

Designed for use in off-grid communities

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

Encore Player MP3 has been tested and certified for a number of standards, including audio and visual quality.

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

Freeplay Energy, SGS IECC Limited

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

No known safety hazards are related to this product

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

An external solar panel can be used to power the device

Research & standards

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

Yildiz, F., 2009, Potential Ambient Energy-Harvesting Sources and Techniques, Journal of Technology Studies, 35, pp. 40-48

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

SGS, EN 55013, EN 55020/A11, EN 55015, EN 61547, EN 61000-3-2/A1/A2, EN 61000-3-3

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

Performance testing

Other information

None

Feedback

In context photographs (0)

You can use the form below to contribute a photo of this product.

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors

Please let us know your experience in using this product through comments below.

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In context photographs (0)

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors