This 3D-printed turbine fits in a backpack to deliver wind power anywhere

By Malarie Gokey Published August 29, 2014

Renewable energy just got a lot more portable and powerful. Omni3d recently introduced a Kickstarter campaign for a AirEnergy, a 3D printable wind turbine that is easy to assemble and carry around. Although most small renewable energy generators aren’t very powerful, the AirEnergy turbine offers 300 watts of power, which is enough to power multiple gadgets at the same time. It could also help power a home.

Although most of the turbine’s parts are 3D printed, some of them are not. Nonetheless, Omni3d says that the entire kit can fit easily in your backpack, so that you can set the turbine up just about anywhere. Luckily, the company will give you detailed instructions for the set up of the turbine, once you’ve got all the parts made with your 3D printer. The project is open source, so users can adapt the design to suit their specific needs. The 3D printable parts can be made with and 3D printer.

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Once you’ve got your turbine assembled, it should be able to generate up to 300 watts of energy. Then, you can plug your devices into the power source with a USB extension cord. You can also use it to charge a battery or plug the energy source directly into the wall, so as to power your home. Obviously, 300 watts isn’t enough to fully power most modern homes, but it can certainly charge up a few devices, power lights on a camping trip, or give your home a little green energy boost to help you save some money.

Omni3d says that for every 2,500£ pledged on the campaign, it will send a pre-printed kit to villages in Africa where many people live without electricity. The company’s goal is to make green energy accessible to more people across the globe. The company places a special focus on developing nations and very rural areas where traditional forms of power may not be available.

Early bird pledgers who give £290 ($484) or more will get one of the few AirEnergy kits available in February before anyone else does. Right now, there’s only one early bird deal left, but if you miss out, you should be able to get your hands on one for less in the future, as the company plans to bring production costs down to $350.

Former Mobile Editor

As DT's Mobile Editor, Malarie runs the Mobile and Wearables sections, which cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and…

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Sebastian Stan lays out Bucky’s future after Thunderbolts

Sebastian Stan in Thunderbolts.

There are some spoilers ahead for the ending of Marvel's Thunderbolts. Stop reading now if you don't want to be spoiled.

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jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii 4

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This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
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That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

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