Abdolhadi Mirhejazi's friends thought he was off his rocker when he told them of his idea for the Naturmobil – but he wasn't bucking around.
His plan was to create a vehicle which really does put the cart before the horse.
And once he'd got the bit between his teeth, wild stallions couldn't tear him away from his favourite hobby.
The result of his labours is a one horsepower, space age all-weather buggy powered by, ugh, a horse.
Unlike traditional horse-drawn vehicles, the horse rides inside, behind the driver, protected by an all-weather canopy.
And thanks to a lightweight polycarbonate frame and complex gearing, it can reach speeds of up to 80km/h – although its cruising speed is a more sedate 20km/h.
Impossible attempt
"My friends and relatives thought of me as a somewhat eccentric half-mad inventor attempting the impossible," said Mirhejazi, an Iranian engineer who has brought his invention to Dubai. Nevertheless, one friend was prepared to rustle up enough cash to put the project under starter's orders.
"It took me 26 months to build the vehicle in my workshop in Tehran. I got it patented by a special department in Iran after professors at universities there attested that it was a scientific invention."
Getting started
The horse walks on a fibreglass treadmill, generating enough power to move the 300kg Naturmobil along on six motorcycle wheels.
Mirhejazi says it produces enough surplus energy to charge a small battery which powers the buggy's lights, electrical system, and can even take over from the horse when Neddy needs a rest.
When the horse's body temperature gets too hot for comfort, a sensor attached to its side transmits its temperature reading to a controller which automatically turns off the treadmill and switches the vehicle to run on battery power.
Neddy can then rest for 20 minutes before the back-up power runs down.
Cruelty-free
Mirhejazi, who runs a business specialising in agricultural machinery, said he came up with the idea after pondering how to utilise horses in new, cruelty-free ways.
"I first tested the vehicle in January 2006. It was around 2am and the deserted streets of Tehran in Iran were perfect for the experiment," he said.
"My brother Saleh was behind the steering wheel."
World tour
Mirhejazi has already exhibited the Naturmobil in Geneva, and plans to take it to the upcoming Invention and New Product Exhibition in the city of Pittsburg in California, USA, this June.
"After the show, I intend to have a live demonstration there with a locally procured horse and hope to attract some sponsors," he said.
He needs sponsors to fund the creation of a second-generation Naturmobil – a four-horse coach intended to carry tourists.
And he hopes the bizarre design of the existing Naturmobil will attract enough attention to help fund the next version.
Maximum exposure
Mirhejazi also discovered the horse can power two LCD advertising screens mounted on the sides of the Naturmobil
"Bearing in mind the originality and uniqueness of the idea, Naturmobil was designed and built to achieve the maximum level of attention from its audiences," said his marketing manager, F. Minooeifar.
Comfort and safety in mind
Mirhejazi says the Naturmobil was designed with the safety and welfare of the animal in mind. No whipping is involved.
To make the horse move, the driver flicks a switch to make the conveyor belt, where the horse is mounted, move.
The belt is lifted to simulate an uphill condition to prevent friction from harming the horse.
The gearbox is designed to ease the pressure on the horse.
The horse need not exert its full power to achieve a faster speed.
Shock absorbers are placed under the conveyor belt to lessen the impact on the horse's joints.
A digital display unit allows the driver to monitor the horse.
Two sets of sensors are attached to the horse to monitor its heart rate and body temperature.
A bower attached on top of the vehicle is designed to protect the horse from cold and heat and can be opened if the horse needs air.
The horse is made to wear special soft leather shoes, tied with laces, to make walking as comfortable as possible.
A waste bin is also provided to collect the horse's discharges. Another bag is provided for food.
The man
- A specialist in agricultural machinery, Abdolhadi Mirhejazi is a graduate of Agriculture
- He established the Pajoohesh and Ideh Company to set up greenhouses for olive plantations in Tehran, Iran.
- In 1992, he invented a device for improving the efficiency of underground water pumps
- In 2004, he developed a crankless one-stroke multi-fuel combustion engine for automobiles
- He acquired a patent for the Naturmobil, a horse-powered vehicle, in 2005
- Mirhejazi presently lives in Jumeirah in Dubai
* YOU SPEAK
- Do you think the Naturmobile will become a commercial success?
- Does the idea of sharing a ride with a primed up horse excite you?
- Do you want to take the Naturmobile for a spin?
Your comments
Its cooool, rocking and excellent!
Anonymous, UAE - Abu Dhabi
Posted: June 13, 2008, 11:07
I want one, and I want it now. But we need the laws of horse ownership to change so we can keep our horses at our house.
My horse would love to walk where ever I go.
Could we get a mini that a dog could run?
Karen, USA
Posted: May 25, 2008, 05:55
This is potentially very humane. Horses need to move to stay healthy. This device doesn't put stress on a horse's back or shoulders as riding or pulling a cart does. It would be easy to teach a horse to walk on a treadmill using positive reinforcement and he'll be happy to do it. I am curious though, if the horse can see out, what happens if something scares him and he wants to run? Do you shift to a lower gear?
Muley, USA
Posted: May 17, 2008, 16:08
Is this for real or is he just horsing around?
Light, USA
Posted: May 14, 2008, 07:59
Neat invention. thanks!
Anonymous, USA
Posted: May 12, 2008, 20:46
A few problems with this invention:
1) Since the horse and people are inside an enclosed vehicle the air quality will get bad very quickly once the horse relieves itself. I would not want to be inside the vehicle under those conditions.
2) Where is the average household going to store a horse necessary to operate the vehicle? Answer: They don't have space. Therefore this invention will only be aplicable to the rich and to businesses that already use horses in their daily activities.
3) If this vehicle really does become popular and replace many vehicles on the road today there will be much less demand for arab oil. I'm wondering how the UAE supporters of this invention feel about that?
Buckley, USA
Posted: May 12, 2008, 18:12
Nice idea, but isn't it better to put the horse in front? no complex gearing to wear out, more cargo space, no horse manure on the floor, and you can still put a weather cover over the horse and most importantly you can see if the horse is tired or having difficulty without taking your eyes off the road.
we have had this for centuries its called a horse drawn wagon.
robert, USA
Posted: May 12, 2008, 10:19
Very cool!
Jesse, USA
Posted: May 12, 2008, 09:04
I'd say this man is a genius! Yes, I'd like to ride in it. Yes, i probably will--Pittsburg, CA is not far from SF. He deserves respect and consideration--and I love that science professors consider it a "scientific invention." Saw it on Coast to Coast AM!
Anonymous, USA
Posted: May 12, 2008, 08:48
It would be better to ride the horse. Another idea to reduce everyone back into third world or lower status.
Anonymous, USA
Posted: May 12, 2008, 08:21
That is disgusting. No animal should be subjected to man made technology that mimics abuse and fear. That is a stupid news article.
Anonymous, UAE - Dubai
Posted: May 12, 2008, 07:22
This is absurd! Why didn't he try running a vehicle with cheese? He should have started with that. Cheese is an amazing fuel that many people don't know about, and it's quite possible that it will overtake oil in this regard. Get ready for the dawn of the age of cheese! Full disclosure: I am the President of the Cheese Lobby of America for the John McCain campaign!
Cwoop, USA
Posted: May 09, 2008, 18:56
He should patent this. It should be marketable for parades, festivals, fairs, etc. The advertising should make it profitable. It should encourage automakers to go electric also.
Ron, USA
Posted: May 09, 2008, 03:49
I see it will collect the "emissions" from the horse rather polluting the environment directly. What ultimately will happen to the emissions remains to be seen. The animal needs fuel. Will growing that fuel detract from the amount of food that can be grown for human consumption? A clever idea, but hardly a transportation solution for every many. Sorry!
Anonymous, USA
Posted: May 08, 2008, 22:57
This is not a new idea. There have been other designs like this.
Anonymous, USA
Posted: May 08, 2008, 21:31
This may seem a step back but in this era of conservation this seems like a very good invention! As a humane horse owner, I do not see anything cruel. They are doing much to create a horse-friendly environment to utilise horsepower. Great job, keep up the good work Abdolhadi!
Dave, USA
Posted: May 08, 2008, 21:15
This is so cooool!
Francesca, Italy
Posted: May 07, 2008, 19:20
Why is this person claiming his cart is "cruelty-free"? If Mr Mirhejazi were chained to a treadmill and forced to walk until someone else decided he could rest for a short time until once again being forced to walk continuously, against his will, then perhaps he may become a better judge of what is cruel or not.
Anonymous, Australia
Posted: May 06, 2008, 22:30
This man has more horse sense than what I collect as horse manure! I hope he gets to show his invention off, and gets the money together for the others. And, if he wants to help Australia, um, amongst other wild feral animals we have excess camels! Nose to the grindstone my friend!? Good luck! People like this inventor do more for the future than the rest. They know how to apply logic! Support him.
Philip, Australia
Posted: May 05, 2008, 16:47
Excellent!
Zahur, Pakistan
Posted: May 05, 2008, 11:33
I need some more information about Abdolhadi and his invention. Kindly sent me the reporter's contact number or Abdulhadi's number.
Ibtissam, UAE - Dubai
Posted: May 05, 2008, 11:10
I think the horse would feel much better under a rider in a saddle. What next? Horse-powered pumps to cool nuclear power plants? Looks like we're going back to the 18th century.
Matt, UAE - Dubai
Posted: May 04, 2008, 14:24
Yes, I believe it will become a commercial success. This is what I will really call an ‘invention’ - Unlike some shows on TV featuring American inventors claiming "something big or an idea", as an invention – those shows are definitely an insults to the real inventors. Salute to the real inventors! Keep up the good work!
Anonymous, UAE - Sharjah
Posted: May 02, 2008, 13:53
