Acer’s new ‘bike desk’ lets you charge your laptop by exercising

While CES is mostly known as the event where companies and manufacturers show off their latest computer hardware, Acer has surprised everyone a little bit with one very innovative looking… table?

Officially known as the Acer eKinekt Bike Desk 3, it’s essentially a desk combined with a stationary bike that converts the energy produced by the user riding the bike into electrical energy, which can then be used to charge up your laptop, smartphone and any other devices you may have. According to Acer, an hour of constant riding at 60 RPM on its bike desk will be enough to generate up to 75 watts of power.

Built out of post-consumer recycled plastic, the bike desk also has an LCD display and a companion smartphone app to give the user information on their workout progress. For output, the bike desk has two USB-A ports and a USB-C port, meaning that you could ostensibly charge up to three devices at once while simultaneously working and exercising too. On the back of the bike meanwhile is an LED charging indicator that lets you know when kinetic energy is being converted into electrical energy. You’ll also find a bag hook and a drink holder on the side for extra convenience.

The table itself is height adjustable, and so is the seat, but the real kicker here is the that you can set up the eKinekt Bike Desk 3 in either Working Mode or Sports Mode. In Working Mode, the desk moves close to the chair, allowing you to sit in an upright position while you type away and slowly pedal. Meanwhile, in Sports Mode the desk moves forward a little, and you can lean in much like a real bike, giving you more leg space for a more intense workout. Acer says you’ll be able to switch between modes depending on if you’re focused on work, or when you want a break by pedalling away.

The Acer eKinekt Bike Desk 3 has so far been confirmed to arrive in North America, Europe and Taiwan, with a starting price of USD999 (~RM4,396.60). There’s no word yet on whether if this will be coming to Malaysia just yet though, but I can certainly see plenty of people who would like this perhaps as a way to meet their New Year’s resolutions.