Abdulaziz Al Musallam

Qatari inventor and robotics pioneer who developed award-winning assistive technologies

Abdulaziz Al Musallam is a Qatari engineer and inventor celebrated for creating life-changing assistive technologies. Born in 1975, he became the first Arab to win the Global James Dyson Award in 2012 for his Smart Wheelchair design. His innovations focus on merging traditional Qatari craftsmanship with modern robotics.

Al Musallam's most notable invention is the Smart Wheelchair, featuring voice-controlled navigation and obstacle detection systems. This device addresses mobility challenges in Qatar's extreme climate, where temperatures often exceed 50°C. His Sign Language Translator Glove, developed in 2015, translates hand gestures into spoken words, aiding communication between deaf individuals and the broader community.

He founded Qatar's first robotics academy in 2010, training over 3,000 students in STEM fields. His work with the Qatar Robotics Society has led to partnerships with MIT and KAUST. Al Musallam also designs culturally sensitive technologies, like prayer-direction sensors for wheelchair users.

Despite facing skepticism about Arab innovation capabilities, he established the Innovate Qatar initiative in 2018, securing $15 million in government funding. His TEDx talk "Engineering Our Future" emphasizes the need for region-specific tech solutions.

Al Musallam's inventions are used in 12 countries, including his Desert Rescue Drone deployed in UAE search-and-rescue operations. He remains a vocal advocate for inclusive tech education, recently launching a scholarship fund for female engineering students.