When the last lightbulb goes out, and the last diesel generator is snatched away from you at the bombed-out Pick n Pay, how will you charge your laptop so you can log on Facebook?

It’s a quandry.

However, a group of bicycle-mad scientists have engineered a desk that can be used to power pretty much anything. It’s called Pedal Power, and it was co-founded by Andy Welkin, who had this to say:

There are people sitting at desks all day who would like to be more active, and that’s one side aspect. That’s one potential market for [our bike desk]. But we feel ours is also doing useful work. That’s the most important function. Developing nations and people who are living off the grid; small farms and business that are trying to be energy-independent.

There’s one group called Maya Pedal in Guatemala that is doing great work, taking old bikes from the U.S. and turning them into machines to help pump water, blend food. It’s amazing work that they’re doing. We’d love to be able to get our machines out there

[Source : iO9, Vimeo]