Students from the Netherlands successfully conducted a test of their project—a solar ambulance they call the first in the world. The goal of the development is to provide vital medical care in remote areas.
The futuristic vehicle, colored yellow, black, and white, named 'Stella Juva,' is equipped with solar panels mounted on the roof that power the engine. It is also fitted with tuberculosis testing kits, a vaccine refrigerator, an X-ray machine, and an ultrasound scanner.
The concept of the vehicle involves delivering medical services directly to the patient, which is critically important in regions with a limited number of medical facilities and unstable maternal health conditions.
This two-seater ambulance can traverse rough terrain, reach a maximum speed of 120 km/h, and have a range of about 715 kilometers on a sunny day. The solar-charged battery ensures continuous operation of the vehicle and its equipment even at night or in cloudy weather.
Geoffrey Sadera from Amref Health Africa, who participated in the project, noted that 'this vehicle will be a game-changer.' Amref specializes in maternal and child health protection.
Student Isabella Vanningen told AFP that the test drive in Kenya was a great success. She reported that they covered over 800 kilometers and tested the machine's capabilities both off-road and in terms of providing medical assistance.
Many team members paused their studies to work on this project, which took about a year. Vanningen added that they hope to inspire the industry, medical organizations, and innovators to use sustainable technologies to solve real problems, emphasizing that achieving this result with 23 students in a year demonstrates enormous potential.