The first field trial of Solar Team Eindhoven’s solar-powered ambulance, the Stella Juva, in Kenya has been successfully completed. During a two-day trial, the vehicle managed to simultaneously power medical equipment. In doing so, it generated more energy than it consumed. The field test demonstrates that the Stella Juva can provide medical care without being connected to the mains electricity supply or relying on fuel.
The field trial took place at various remote locations in the Narok region of Kenya. In total, Stella Juva covered more than 800 kilometres during the trial, travelling on both tarmac and unpaved roads. A journey to the remote field site of Mosiro took six hours due to the challenging terrain. Apart from a faulty steering rod, which was replaced within half an hour, the team reported that there were hardly any technical problems during the journeys.
On-site care
The Stella Juva was developed by a team of 23 students. Their aim is to use the vehicle to make medical care more accessible in areas where infrastructure, electricity and fuel are in short supply. Unlike a conventional ambulance, the vehicle does not primarily transport patients to a healthcare facility, but rather brings medical services to remote communities.
Image: Solar Team Eindhoven / Bart van Overbeeke
“It’s really special for the team to see the potential Stella Juva has in real-world use,” says team manager Mathijs van Gerven. “Not only does it enable sustainable travel, but it also allows healthcare to be provided completely independently. This can make a huge difference, particularly in remote areas where energy is often in short supply.”
The power supply consists of solar panels on the vehicle’s roof. When Stella Juva is stationary, extendable panels on the sides can also be deployed. The electricity generated is used to power both the vehicle’s propulsion system and the medical equipment on board.
Various medical devices powered simultaneously
During the trial, the vehicle was equipped with, amongst other things, an X-ray machine, an ultrasound scanner, an automated external defibrillator and refrigeration facilities for vaccines. In collaboration with Amref Health Africa, research was carried out into how the equipment could be used under local conditions. According to the field trial, Stella Juva can provide care to around 200 people in two days.
The test in Kenya was partly aimed at assessing the vehicle’s technical suitability for use outside the confines of a laboratory or test track. Stella Juva has been approved for use on public roads and is designed for use on both paved and unpaved roads.
Long distances, limited infrastructure and an unreliable energy supply
“In Narok, long distances and an unreliable electricity supply still make it difficult to access good healthcare. Stella Juva can not only transport healthcare providers to remote communities, but also carry the power and medical equipment needed to examine and diagnose people on the spot. For example, during a single outreach visit, 30 to 40 pregnant women could have an ultrasound scan within their own community,” said Geoffrey Sadera, project lead for maternal and child health at Amref Health Africa.
“And Narok is not the only region: a third of Kenyan counties face similar challenges and high rates of maternal and child mortality. If we could deploy Stella Juva in these areas, the potential impact could be enormous: we could identify risks earlier, intervene more quickly and ultimately save lives.”
The international health organisation incorporated practical experience into the development of the Stella Juva. During the field trials, the medical facilities were tested in collaboration with healthcare providers from the Amref Health Africa network.
Image: Solar Team Eindhoven / Bart van Overbeeke
From demonstration to implementation
However, the successful field test does not mean that we should expect the Stella Juva to be introduced on a large scale in the healthcare sector in the near future. The demonstration primarily provides insight into the technical capabilities and practical applicability of a fully solar-powered ambulance. With the Stella Juva, the team hopes to inspire businesses, civil society organisations and governments to tackle social problems with innovative solutions.
“As students, we have demonstrated what is possible when technology and social impact come together,” says team manager Mathijs van Gerven of Solar Team Eindhoven. “With Stella Juva, we want to encourage others to think further ahead about sustainable healthcare. We’re open to partnering with organisations that want to explore with us how this innovation can be developed further and make an impact on a larger scale. We hope that Stella Juva isn’t the end point, but rather the beginning of something much bigger,” says Van Gerven.
Image: Solar Team Eindhoven / Bart van Overbeeke
