Solar Powered Wheelchair Sets New World Guinness Record

posted on Dec 28 by Admin in the Disability News, Fun, Technology, Wheelchair Accessibility, Wheelchair Technology category

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.

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,”  Taleb said.

He is expecting to cross all seven emirates, where he will stop at schools and universities to inspire people and spread awareness. “I want to send out a message to disabled people that there are no obstructions. Whatever you think about, you can do. Give disabled people a chance, and they can perform miracles.”

His journey was expected to be completed on December 2nd, breaking the record for longest distance traveled in a solar-powered wheelchair – a record which he set himself just two weeks prior. He earned his place in the Guinness Book of World Records by making a journey of 80 miles in his chair in a 14 hour trip from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah.