ABU DHABI // A remotely operated falcon mask remover, a robotic dolphin that can protect itself from shark attacks, and a smart horse saddle with built-in Bluetooth, GPS, cooling system and rear and front-view cameras …
These are a few of the creations an Emirati inventor has been honoured for at an international trade show in Germany.
Ahmad Majjan, who has been referred to as the Emirati Edison, received a gold award for 10 of his innovations at the 67th iENA, an international trade show for ideas, innovations, and new products, that took place at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre in Germany.
“After more than 40 years of inventing it is nice to finally get recognised,” the Dubai native said.
Mr Majjan said he owed his propensity to create to his father who owned a car garage in Dubai. “As there were no bridges across the Dubai Creek, those with cars would charge people 2 fils to drive around it.
“My father refused to charge and that’s how we got our family name Majjan, which means free in Arabic,” he said.
One of his first creations was a bicycle equipped with a radio.
Of his 10 inventions, the Smart Saddle has garnered the most attention in the UAE as well as gold medals at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva this year.
The solar-powered saddle monitors the horse’s heart rate, provides a cooling system for horse and rider, connects the rider’s helmet with bluetooth, keeps track of your location via GPS, and records video through front and rear cameras.
Another intriguing creation is a remote controlled mechanical dolphin equipped with spearguns to ward off shark attacks.
With four Go-Pro cameras on board the mechanical marine mammal is primarily designed for underwater exploration but also offers an alternative style of fishing with its ability to open its mouth and swallow fish.
Mr Majjan said he hoped his inventions would inspire Emirati youth to create and invent more.
“My aim is that thousands of Emiratis follow my lead and become solution men and women,” he said.
According to an employee of Mr Majjan’s company, MTS Group, his keenness for clean energy has lead to five of his 10 recognised inventions using solar technology.
Of the five solar-powered inventions, a pet tracking collar and bicycle tracker equipped with GPS are the closest to commercial production, said Yu Zhu, who has assisted Mr Majjan for the past two and a half years.
“In the beginning I could not understand why a man who could have an easy and comfortable life spent so much of his time and energy on this,” Ms Yu said.
“He always said ‘I would rather spend it on these creations than anything else’.
“Now I see what an inspirational and brave man he is,” she said.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae
