By Peter Alagos/Business Reporter
A state-of-the-art airport service vehicle conceptualised and designed by one of Qatar’s top computer engineers has placed the country at the forefront of technological innovation in the GCC region.
Captain Ali Hassan al-Rashid, commander of security systems and technologies in Lekhwiya (Internal Security Force), was instrumental in the creation of what he described as a “smart inspection car”.
The solar-powered vehicle is certified environment-friendly and equipped with the latest technology. It has been developed to boost security systems inside Hamad International Airport (HIA), where it was launched yesterday.
With solar panels installed on the car’s canopy, it can run up to 16 hours during indoor operations and 24 hours outdoors. It can also be charged using the standard AC power outlet, he said.
The smart car has an X-ray apparatus that can detect and identify any form of contraband such as guns or bladed weapons, drugs, explosives, poisonous or hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials.
Captain al-Rashid told Gulf Times that it took him at least three months to design the smart car and another two months to build it.
“The conceptualisation and design period involved complicated electronics and physics, as well as advanced equations,” he explained, adding that the vehicle will still undergo a few adjustments to modify and fine-tune the equation for maximised use.
When asked what inspired him to produce the smart inspection car, Captain al-Rashid said a recent visit to the HIA by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani was what pushed him to pursue the idea.
“HE the Prime Minister was impressed with the security systems at the airport and he encouraged us to design more,”
he narrated.
“Then I thought of ways to provide additional security and protection to airport passengers considering Qatar will be hosting the world championship of men’s handball in 2015 and the FIFA World Cup in 2022.”
Captain al-Rashid proposed the idea to HE the Prime Minister, who later approved the plan. Prior to its launch, al-Rashid said the vehicle was tested 60-70 times using different materials like explosives, drugs, weapons
and chemicals.
He added that the smart car was a co-production of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and Lekhwiya. The MoI owns the patent for the car while intellectual property was registered to both agencies.
At 32, Captain al-Rashid has already earned a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Computer Science and a Masters in Computer Security. His specialisations are in the field of X-ray, algorithms, robotics and communications.
Brig Essa Arrar al-Rumaihi, director of the Airport Security Department, said the vehicle was initiated by the Airport Security Department and Airport Passport Department in collaboration with Lekhwiya.
During the launch ceremony, Brig al-Rumaihi was joined by the MoI’s Airport Immigration Department director, Lt Colonel Mohamed Rashid al-Mazrouei, department officials and security officers from Oman.