Zimbabwean inventor Maxwell Chikumbutso is turning heads worldwide with his revolutionary car and motorbike designs powered by radio frequencies, positioning himself as a formidable challenger to America’s tech mogul, Elon Musk.
A video shared by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) on Tuesday showcased Chikumbutso demonstrating his inventions to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House. The highlight of the demonstration was his innovative car, named Saith, which runs on radio frequencies instead of lithium batteries or traditional fuels.
Explaining the science behind his invention, Chikumbutso said:
“The vehicle uses what we call the micro sonic energy device. The micro sonic energy device, it is the device that I personally invented in 2009 which harnesses radio frequencies and convert it into energy. As we know, radio frequencies they are measured in Nano volts meaning to say they are less than a volt. They are just like nothing but we find a way of harnessing it through the creation of the 70% of the components in the micro sonic energy which I have tailor-made. So those are the components that enable the radio frequency to be transferred into pure useful energy and this is the first time in the world.”
Interestingly, Chikumbutso revealed that he faced difficulties in patenting his invention due to its unconventional nature.
“Even when we tried to file a patent they said you’re violating the natural laws of physics so it’s not industry applicable. So we decided to take the trade secret route after that,” he said.
Chikumbutso explained that the Saith car is more than just a mode of transportation; it can double as a power source for a home.
“So with this car, you can also use it to power your house. It is a moving generator. When you drive from work back to your home you can connect your power cable then you can power your house. It gives you 15 kilowatts power to power your house and the vehicle itself it has got 160 kilowatts electric motor which gives you a torque of about 320 to 380 Newton meters of torque. That means it’s fast,” he explained.
The Saith boasts an unlimited driving range, a top speed of 220 km/h, and features self-parking and autonomous driving capabilities. Impressively, the car costs just $14,000 per unit to manufacture.
Chikumbutso also outlined his vision to establish a vehicle manufacturing plant in Zimbabwe to produce cars powered by this revolutionary technology.
President Mnangagwa commended Chikumbutso’s genius, describing his inventions as unprecedented and a source of pride for Zimbabwe. The President emphasized the importance of nurturing such talent to drive national development, aligning the achievement with the national mantra, “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo”.
Watch Zimbambwean inventor unveiling his motorbike and vehicle that uses radio frequencies