Did my ability to search for things intelligently on the internet die when Google search did or are there legitimately no personal umbrellas with solar panels and a battery pack? Like I feel like that would be an obvious thing, and there’s a bajillion beach umbrellas and patio umbrellas that have solar panels. How are there no personal versions for wandering around on a sunny day with portable shade that gets you a charged battery pack? Is this a thing and I just can’t find it or does it not exist yet and all of science has failed me in every way possible?
Sorry for the terrible AI picture, I didn’t create it I just found it on the internet and it was the only one I could find because these apparently don’t actually exist.
Do you usually use an umbrella when it’s sunny or would you do it just to charge the battery? I know it’s a thing but only very rarely see people do that, probably not enough to have demand for something like this. Backpacks with solar panels exist but I think these are pretty hard to find too.
It probably depends on where you’re from, but it’s a thing. In Japan you’ll see people walking with an umbrella to avoid the summer heat.
That’s called a parasol.
I get people think it’s the same thing, but this is a case where words matter.
If someone said “solar parasol” no one would assume they meant the device intended for rainy weather.
Well, umbrella literally means “little shadow” and is aptly used as a synonym for parasol in severeal languages. Just because the English misused them to shield against rain does not change the meaning. Or perhaps it does?
I’m pretty sure Japan doesn’t make that distinction.
This idea is right up there with Glow in the dark sunglasses.