PlayStation patent reveals a potential solar-powered controllers

Running electronics on solar power is quite beneficial for the environment and now gamers may also be able to contribute. Sony, in a recent patent, has brought up something very interesting: a solar-powered PlayStation controller, and as the name suggests, the device may help gamers ditch the hassle of batteries losing power.

Spotted by tech4gamers, the patent points out that game controllers currently require battery replacement or charging. In case the batteries or any option to charge isn’t available, the controller is left useless, especially in the case of controllers with non-removable batteries.

The solution? “A plurality of photovoltaic elements arranged in a housing, and a storage unit that stores electricity generated by the plurality of photovoltaic elements,” in simple terms, a controller that can be charged when exposed to light. Sony even shared the concept of where these photovoltaic cells will be stored.

Sony’s solar-powered controller may bring a huge change

The idea behind game controllers charging by themselves is quite interesting and if Sony can make it work, no doubt it will be massively popular across the industry. There is a good chance that players will also see other controller makers adopt the tech very quickly.

This will also bring a small relief for gamers who are constantly struggling with low batteries or dead controllers during some important moments. Many even buy an extra pair to avoid something like this from happening and will be able to save some money for an extra game.

Also Read: PlayStation’s upcoming game ‘Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet’ takes inspiration from Elden Ring

What are the limitations of solar-powered controllers?

While Sony didn’t specifically mention the controller using solar power and labelled the charging via a light source, it is hard to say if anything other than sunlight will be powerful enough to charge the controller. If that’s the only way, get ready to sunbathe your dualsense, although we're sure there will still be an option to charge as regular.