Columbia tests bench that charges electronic devices

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Columbia is offering the public an unusual way to charge their electronic devices.

A wood and metal bench in front of City Hall, called a Soofa, has an attachment that will charge electronic devices.

Public Works director John Glasscock says the bench cost $4,100. He says the city is experimenting to see whether the public would use the Soofa, which uses a solar panel and batteries to supply power through two USB ports.

Glasscock says people sometimes get desperate if their phones or tablets are losing power when no power source is nearby.

The bench's 30-watt solar panel can keep the battery charged even with limited sunshine. People have to have their own cords to attach to the USB.