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• A rolling magnetic spring energy harvester is proposed for handshaking. • The influence of the coil's position on output performance is investigated. • Excitation with a level of 0.3 g witnesses a half-power bandwidth of 1.61 Hz. • Maximum average power of 2.22 mW is achieved under handshaking excitation. • Handshaking excitation in 5 s could enable a watch to operate for 1100 s. Aiming at the random and low-frequency characteristics of human motion, a hand-held rolling magnetic-spring energy harvester is proposed to scavenge energy from handshaking. The harvester applies the rolling movement of a magnetically suspended magnet and possesses the merit of low damping. The dynamic model is established and the open-circuit voltages are predicted by combining Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction and finite element analysis. By calculating magnetic flux through coils, the effect of the coil's position on energy harvesting efficiency is studied through numerical and experimental approaches. Experimental results under harmonic excitations indicate that the coil positioned directly below the stable equilibrium position of the moving magnet has the best output capability, and a maximum open-circuit voltage of 1.33 V and a half-power bandwidth of 1.61 Hz is achieved at 0.3 g. Under handshaking excitation, an instantaneous peak power of 20.15 mW is achieved, along with a maximum average power of 2.22 mW. The corresponding volume and mass power densities are respectively 26.04 μW/cm3 and 23.28 μW/g. Furthermore, handshaking excitation in 5 s to charge a capacitor of 470 μF could enable the watch, time display, timer, and hygrothermograph to operate for 1100 s, 513 s, 86 s, and 35 s respectively, demonstrating the brilliant application foreground of the proposed harvester. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]