Tech4home has partnered with Portuguese operator MEO to develop a new solar-powered remote control that aims to eliminate the need for disposable batteries in the home.
The Olo M5e Solar Remote Control, now being introduced for MEO customers, uses an ultra-thin bifacial photovoltaic panel to harvest both natural and artificial light, backed up by USB-C charging for low-light environments. The handset’s housing is made from 100% recycled plastic with Tech4home offering the device as a showcase for circular-economy design in the CPE space.
The remote has been engineered to meet MEO’s sustainability targets while maintaining a familiar, operator-branded user experience, including a dedicated MEO key for direct access to the home menu. Tech4home says the focus has been on comfort, intuitive key layout and a slim ergonomic form factor alongside the energy-saving features.
The M5e has already attracted international recognition, picking up a Red Dot Award 2024 in the Innovative Products and TV and Home Entertainment categories, as well as the German Design Award 2025, German Innovation Award 2025 and two Muse Design Awards 2025 for product design.
Tech4home’s commercial director and co-founder Graça Cândido said the project demonstrated how operators and technology partners can bring battery-free, recycled devices into mass-market pay-TV, arguing that sustainable hardware and industrial design are becoming core differentiators for TV platforms.
