About the Lifeline

The Freeplay Lifeline radio is a self-sufficient AM/FM/SW1/SW2 radio designed, developed, and tested specifically for applications where the radio has a large audience and multiple users use the radio under harsh conditions – for long periods and with no maintenance. The Lifeline radio is unique in that it is the first radio that has been designed specifically for use by women and children in development initiatives and other humanitarian projects. Engineered to be highly robust for use in harshest of rural conditions and climates, the Lifeline is easy to operate, has excellent reception and runs on either self-charge or solar power. It has been extensively researched and field-tested to determine its functionality, styling and ease of use for people who need sustainable access to listening. It is available to aid and donor agencies for bona fide humanitarian initiatives.

In 2001, Children on the Brink, a joint report of USAID, UNAIDS and UNICEF, reported that 34 million children in sub-Saharan Africa were orphans, one-third of them due to AIDS. By 2010, the number will reach 42 million, or six percent of all children in Africa. Children as young as nine are heading households – caring for up to four younger children. These children are vulnerable, often face discrimination and exploitation and have little or no means of support or access to information and education. The Lifeline radio makes sustainable access to information and educational content possible. It has been used to provide information that is vital to improved health, safety, education, agricultural productivity, disaster mitigation, governance and ultimately opportunity for a better life.

Benefits

• Radio programming can perform the role of "surrogate teacher", helping fill the educational void.
• Radio programming can offer useful information to orphans that a parent or adult would normally provide.
• In most of the developing world, electricity is non-existent and batteries are unaffordable on an ongoing basis, especially to women and children
• Radio can be integrated into distance education or community listening projects, accommodating up to 40 listeners simultaneously.
• The Lifeline radio makes sustainable access to information and educational content possible. Information and education are vital to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS.
• Specific design considerations were made to achieve an ergonomically optimized human energy input system across a broad demographic spectrum.
• An extra length crank handle for ease of energy transfer.
• The crank handle has sufficient clearance that the radio can be comfortable wound while on the ground, a table or a lap.
• Iteratively developed winder knob, equally comfortable in the hands of a child or adult.
• Returns for a typical 30-second wind (nominally between 120 and 140rpm) are at least 30 minutes of listening at full volume – suitable for groups of up to 40 people. This can be measured as a loudness level of 75db Sound Pressure Level (“A” weighed).
• Winder handle can be rotated in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction
• The control interface was developed to be simple and visually communicative of function, understanding that many of the intended recipients are not familiar with such devices.
• The Volume Knob, recessed inside the speaker grill for protection, is positioned where the sound emits from the radio.
• The Tuning Knob is positioned in the centre of the dial scale, and the tuning needle centres on the same point.
• The Dial Scale is an arched display that surrounds the tuning knob. Each band is visually distinguished using bright colours. The frequency text is large and legible to the visually impaired.
• The Band Selector Switch is positioned below the dial scale and aligns with the selected band once in the chosen position.

Product Features

• Four-band coverage ensures access to many channels: AM, FM, SW1/SW2 (3-18 MHz)
• Excellent audio quality, with clear sound for groups of up to 40 people
• Solar powered; removable water-resistant solar panel provides solar energy from up to 2.1 metres away
• Plays for up to 24 hours if the battery is fully charged
• Integrated crank (can be wound in either direction) uses Freeplay’s patented high-efficiency self-charge system to provide power when there is no sunlight
• Just 1 minute of winding at 120 rpm provides an hour of listening at medium volume
• Tuning dial has colour-coded bands and large print to assist visually impaired and illiterate users
• All controls designed to be simple and intuitive, and ergonomically optimised for both adult and child users
• Handle designed specifically for easy carrying by a child
• Antenna is easily replaced using readily available materials such as coat hangers and fencing wire
• Operates in extreme temperatures, rain, moisture, dust, sand and humidity