Portable microwave set for launch in UAE

In a city where some residents virtually live in their car commuting, working or stuck in traffic jams, American inventor Tim Frank could become a cultural hero for his new creation – a car-friendly portable microwave that plugs into the lighter socket. Frank suggests it will only be a matter of time before his WaveBox portable wonder will revolutionise the lifestyle of the UAE's car-crazy consumers.

In an interview from the US, The Frank Group CEO told XPRESS that he has secured the necessary government approvals for Saudi Arabia and the UAE and is now on the hunt for an established distributor in the region.

“We are looking for a large well-qualified distributor to take on our product.''

Multi-purpose

The new device could very well change how the Middle East gets through a day, he said, and could also become commonplace at outdoor worksites, camping grounds and weekend desert gatherings.

“Our microwave is the only one that is portable and can operate on AC/DC power,'' said Frank, 42, who originally came up with the idea in 2004 at a construction site where workers complained of always eating take-out food.

Launched in mid-2008 in the US and UK, the WaveBox has enjoyed major sales. “By and large, it is for people who move in their vehicles for their work – taxis, police, government workers,'' said Frank.

A unique power system allows users to simply plug the small cooler-sized WaveBox into a 20-amp car lighter socket, punch in a quick heating time and, within a few minutes, hot food is ready.

From hotdogs to canned soups and spaghetti to popcorn, WaveBox cooks food in roughly twice the time of conventional kitchen microwaves but has the same electronic controls.

WaveBox facts

• The WaveBox has a “sculpted, lunchbox-style design and reinforced weather-resistant ABS case'', states the WaveBox website www.thewavebox.com.
• The microwave also “includes plug-and-run AC and DC cords for vehicle power sockets or direct connection to a 12-volt battery''.
• To date, the WaveBox is selling in the United States for $199 (Dh730).