The basic idea here is actually a very old approach -- clocks have been powered this way for centuries. But it's very cool and refreshing to see a modern electrical spin on it.
Not only is that not what I was thinking of, which was more akin to a grandfather clock, but I don't believe that at all. Just using piezoelectric vibration sensors I was able to charge a cap to light up an LED- a rotor mechanism would generate much, much more power, and consider today's energy efficient ICs I see know reason why it wouldn't work.