Zimbabwean Inventor’s Revolutionary Self Propelled Vehicle Claim – Real or Not?

Not the first time making waves in the news world, Zimbabwean inventor Maxwell Chikumbutso claims he has created a self-powered powertrain which requires no charging and is fuelled by radio waves invisible to the eye but ubiquitous around us.

Image: Harare News

If you haven’t heard about the headlines yet, Chikumbutso recently showcased his revolutionary powertrain to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Demonstrated in both vehicle and motorcycle, these machines purportedly utilize a “Microsonic energy device” to harness the ubiquitous radio frequencies that permeate our environment. While the presidential endorsement lends weight to Chikumbutso’s assertions, the scientific community remains largely unconvinced. Is this a groundbreaking leap in energy technology, or a bridge too far?

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Chikumbutso’s narrative revolves around the idea of capturing and converting the energy from radio waves, typically measured in minute nanovolts. He claims his device, largely composed of custom-made components, can amplify and utilize this energy to power vehicles. This isn’t the first time Chikumbutso has made such bold pronouncements. He is the founder of Saith Technologies, a company that has previously touted electric vehicles that don’t require charging and energy generation systems powered by radio waves. These claims, however, have never been independently verified, leaving a trail of scepticism in their wake.

The latest endeavour has involved Chinese involvement and the demonstration Chikumbutso orchestrated incorporated SUVs which seem to be underpinned by a Chery Tiggo 4 Pro platform, replete with a bespoke front and rear end and the conventional internal combustion engine replaced with an electric motor which is powered by the revolutionary powertrain.

Image: Harare News

Saith Technologies itself remains shrouded in some mystery. Information about the company is scarce and independent verification of its operations and research is difficult to come by. This lack of transparency fuels the ongoing debate surrounding Chikumbutso’s inventions. While his supporters point to his ingenuity and the potential for revolutionary technology, critics highlight the absence of peer-reviewed studies and the apparent lack of scientific rigour in his demonstrations.

The central question, of course, is whether harnessing radio waves in this manner is even possible. While radio waves do carry energy, the amount is incredibly small. Current technology struggles to efficiently capture and convert ambient radio frequency energy into usable power on the scale required for vehicles. The laws of thermodynamics present a significant hurdle; the energy captured would likely be insufficient to overcome the energy required for the conversion process itself, let alone propel a vehicle.

Furthermore, the specific mechanisms of Chikumbutso’s “Microsonic energy device” remain undisclosed. Without detailed explanations and independent testing, it’s impossible to assess the validity of his claims. Until Chikumbutso and Saith Technologies provide verifiable data and subject their inventions to rigorous scrutiny, the radio wave revolution remains firmly in the realm of speculation but should it be exactly what the inventor claims it is, the entire zero-emissions realm of mobility will be completely revolutionised!

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