Innovation and invention are not just endeavors; they are the driving passion for 13-year-old Ali Humaid Alloghani. His recent unveiling at the UAE Innovates exhibition showcased a groundbreaking creation: a remotely controlled wheelchair ingeniously crafted from salvaged parts of an old toy.
In a detailed discussion, Alloghani shed light on his inventive marvel: “The wheelchair can be remotely controlled using a smart glove. So for example, if someone is sitting somewhere and needs his wheelchair, he doesn’t need anyone to bring it to him. He can control it with the smart glove and get the wheelchair to come to him.”
Ali stands among a cohort of visionary teenagers who graced the UAE Innovates exhibition, recently concluded at the Emirates Towers boulevard. This event marked the apex of a month-long campaign dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation across government, private sectors, and individuals. These budding geniuses find their nurturing ground in the Emirates Science Club (ESC), a platform dedicated to encouraging young talents to explore and innovate.
A CREATIVE AND COMMITTED CREATOR Ali, nurturing dreams of becoming a scientist and astronaut, shared his journey with the ESC spanning over seven years. “I joined the club when I was six, and I have so far created 14 projects,” he proudly expressed. “I am exhibiting four other innovations of mine here. One is a medical bot that can consult and communicate with patients globally. I also have the smart ship accident prevention system, which doubles up as a ship pollution prevention system as it catches pollutants, and a sustainable electric charging system that uses renewable energy to produce the electricity needed to charge vehicles.”
Ali emphasized that his inventions are inspired by personal experiences. “Everything that I make helps someone I know,” he noted. “Sometimes it is a family member, and sometimes it is a friend.”
Established in 1990, the ESC offers training programs in various scientific and technological fields. Dividing its activities into nine categories, including robotics and carpentry, the club is helmed by skilled engineers and inventors.
MICROSCOPE FOR THE MASSES Another noteworthy creation unveiled at the event was a low-cost microscope developed by friends Safiya Khalaf Al Mazrouei and Amna Khalid Al Suweidi. This DIY microscope, designed with simplicity in mind, aims to provide schools in underserved areas with access to essential scientific tools.
“The microscope will be connected to a screen, allowing students to view whatever is under the lens on a big screen,” explained Safiya. “It is very simply designed so that students can put the microscope together with minimal help.”
According to Amna, the device took them almost two months to build. “From the time we thought of the idea, we knew that we wanted to make something that will help students around the world,” she said. “We know that there are many schools which don’t have access to microscopes for learning science. So we designed something that is very cost-effective, simple, and effective.”
UAE Innovates, a flagship event since its inception in 2015, celebrates innovation and champions the implementation of advanced national innovation strategies. This event serves as a testament to the transformative power of youthful creativity and the enduring impact of initiatives that fuel a culture of innovation.