How to power your Internet by walking on the treadmill

Exercise can be a daunting task, and our Internet connection can leave us feeling frustrated by a page’s loading time. Now combine the two.

Software developer Brian Peiris hooked up a manual treadmill to his Linux computer’s Internet connection so that walking on the machine would power the connection.

Manual treadmill under Peiris' computer. (Image via Brian Peiris)

Peiris got the idea from a “CrazyIdeas” post on the website Reddit and decided to turn it into a weekend DIY project.

So he adjusted some of the treadmill’s features to fit the treadmill under his desk and used the treadmill’s built-in sensors, his Arduino, and some coding to make the idea happen.

Once the treadmill was properly connected to the computer and to the Internet, Peiris made some adjustments that actually made his Internet connection run faster as he walked faster on the treadmill. So if he stops walking, he will not be able to use the Internet.

In the video below, you can see that the pages only begin loading while he’s moving and pause when he pauses.

For more information and a step-by-step guide on how to create your own treadmill-powered Internet, visit Brian Peiris’ website.
 

If nothing else, a set-up like this could keep Internet addicts staying pretty fit.