Now Bangladeshi scientists have created 'solar ferry boat' and digital rickshaw!

The Dhaka Times Desk Many people of riverine Bangladesh and remote areas still travel to the bazaar by boat. Keeping them in mind United International University (UIU) The Center for Energy Research has developed solar-powered boats and modern digital rickshaws.

The concept of solar vehicles is not new in Bangladesh, earlier solar power autorickshaws, buses, bikes, pumps have been made, but this is the first boat. Boats get the most sunlight while sailing on the river. The first plans to harness this sunlight; United International University (UIU) Researchers. They thought of making such a boat after surveying sailors for about a week on the banks of river Padma in river-centric areas of Bangladesh such as Lalpur district of Natore.

Meanwhile, talking to them, it is known that the issue of solar power has come to their mind as well as the pollution caused by diesel powered boats and steamers in the country's rivers. As a result, they adopted this plan of making a boat 'Solar Ferry Boat' which will run with the help of solar electricity. The issue of environmental pollution has come to their mind, and the thought of cost has not been left out. They have made it with so many things in mind.

Mahmud Ibrahim, an engineer involved in making solar boats, said that the people of remote villages in riverine Bangladesh have to travel by boat. Besides, the oil is discharged from the shallow engine boats and pollutes the environment.

When asked about the cost, he said, this boat will run entirely on solar power, so the sailor will not need any additional diesel cost. It will take 6 hours to charge once, it will run for 12 hours, it can also be charged on the go. Basically, the passenger canopy of the boat has been used as a solar panel.

Looking like a normal boat, this modern technology boat has the facility of transporting 12 people, the sailor can transport goods if he wants.

Two 250 watt solar panels are used to charge four 12 volt batteries. It will also serve as a passenger shelter. Ibrahim also claims that the brushless DC motor boat will not run at a lower speed than the shallow engine. And the driver will guide the direction with the handle placed in front of the motor. The inventors have spent Tk 1 lakh to make this boat, but the cost will be reduced further in commercial production, the inventors said.

Meanwhile, inventors from the same university have created a modern digital solar-powered rickshaw. Currently motorized rickshaws are very dangerous and people are turning away from these vehicles due to high electricity consumption. But the digitized rickshaw developed by the Center for Energy Research at the United International University (UIU) is much safer as it incorporates solar panels and batteries and is powered by a microcontroller.

The micro controller in it will control how much the battery will be charged and when. For residential use, solar panels are placed at an angle of 23 degrees facing south. The 200 watt solar panel will also act as a roof over the head of the passenger and driver as it is placed upright in the rickshaw. This digital rickshaw will be able to run continuously for six hours if the four 48 volt batteries are fully charged.

The boat was presented at the four-day 'Digital World-2014' fair which started at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the fair on June 4.