Young innovator blends sustainability, robotics, and humanitarian vision into groundbreaking rover designs
Dubai – A young student from Dubai College, Dubai, UAE, Humayl Fazal, is making international headlines for his remarkable journey from the classrooms of the UAE to the frontlines of global challenges. Through a series of pioneering rover projects, the teen has shown how innovation can be both practical and deeply humanitarian, blending technology with purpose.
The journey began in 2020, when Humayl presented his first Ocean Clean-Up Rover prototype at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Sustainability Pavilion. The design was built to collect floating debris without disrupting natural water flow, marking the start of an innovation path rooted in sustainability. By July 2023, his focus turned inland with a mobility rover concept designed to transport medical supplies across rugged, landlocked terrains where conventional vehicles cannot reach.
In late 2024 and early 2025, his work gained further recognition during an internship with Attakkera, where he engineered and prototyped a 3D-printed all-terrain rover for disaster-hit, hilly regions. The project transformed initial sketches into a prototype, applying mechanical design, automotive engineering, and additive manufacturing. His most recent internship with Eddyfi Technologies in mid-2025 expanded these ideas further, where he combined automotive design and robotics with eco-friendly rover systems, building on earlier sustainability projects to introduce advanced automation concepts.
Adding to his academic and research profile, Humayl conducted research on adapting Martian rover technology for terrestrial disaster response and extreme terrains under the mentorship of an MIT PhD graduate. The paper, currently under submission to an academic journal, reflects his profound interest in bridging planetary exploration technologies with humanitarian solutions on Earth.
Beyond engineering milestones, his impact is rooted in social change. Through The Citizens Foundation, he and his team raised AED 187,000, funded two schools, and gave 420 children access to education for a full year. His outlook reflects a belief that technology must go beyond mechanics—it must create opportunities and deliver hope.
His personality extends across fields rarely found together in one young innovator. As captain of his varsity cricket team and a core water polo player, he represents discipline, resilience, and teamwork. As a storyteller, he has self-published a novel on Amazon, donating proceeds to children’s medical care and serving as the chief editor of his school’s engineering magazine. DC Hydraulics. This blend of technical and creative expression highlights a rare ability to bridge ideas across disciplines.
With skills spanning artificial intelligence, robotics, automotive design, and 3D printing, alongside creative tools such as graphic design and video production, Humayl Fazal exemplifies the new generation of innovators emerging from the UAE. His projects underscore the Emirati vision of empowering youth to drive solutions with global impact, proving that engineering, when combined with humanity, can truly redefine innovation.
