Power Struggle Game: Smartphones Fight for Battery Charge

Japanese developer Ken Kawamoto has introduced the Power Struggle project, turning ordinary smartphones into a gaming platform. Two devices connected via a USB-C cable compete in screen tap speed.

The game mechanics are based on redistributing energy between phones. The winner drains battery from the loser, making the process not just entertainment but also a demonstration of power delivery protocol capabilities.

The project uses standard technologies without requiring root access. The system works as follows:

• Phones switch roles between transmitter and receiver via the USB Power Delivery protocol
• System commands are controlled through the Shizuku app
• Mode switching takes about 0.5 seconds with a current of approximately 4.5W

A key feature is using a single cable for both data and power transmission. One smartphone acts as the USB host, while the second enters Android Open Accessory mode, originally designed for car stereos.

Energy exchange efficiency has its limitations: the losing side loses approximately 1500mAh, while the winner gains only about 400mAh. The full source code of the project is available on GitHub.