At the age of 4, Haidar Taleb was diagnosed with polio and has been in a wheelchair since. He is 47 years old now and has developed a solar powered wheelchair in the United Arab Emirates. He ventured off on a 200 mile journey to prove the chair’s capabilities are reliable.
Masdar, the UAE’s leading renewable energy company, funded Taleb’s design for the solar powered chair, taking advantage of the vast amount of sunlight in his home country. Masdar is famous for its ambitious renewable energy/city, Masdar City, and aims to become the world’s first zero carbon metropolis.
Solar power, lots of sun, and a powerhouse sponsor move this wheelchair across the sands to a Guinness World Record.
The chair is powered by four 20-watt batteries, and it’s top speed is 12 mph. The 200 mile voyage across the desert is Taleb’s way of demonstrating and showcasing the wheelchairs abilities. “With this journey I hope to raise awareness of disability and sustainability as well as what we can achieve as individuals if we have the courage and determination to try.
Solar powered wheelchairs are not a new idea. Rather it’s a concept in progress whose day may not be far off. The power wheelchair in the image was developed by 47 year old Haidar Taleb, from the United Arab Emirates. Haidar, a wheelchair user since being diagnosed with Polio at the age of 4, nailed down Masdar, the UAE’s largest renewable energy company as a sponsor.
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