On February 3rd, in Arusha, Tanzania, Arusha Governor John Monghella is test-driving an electric motorcycle by a research team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Seoul National University. Provided by Seoul National University.

Professor Sung-Hoon Ahn's research team has begun research in Tanzania to build a smart mobility system that operates electric motorcycles using solar power.
Seoul National University announced Feb 10th that it conducted smart mobility research in Arusha and Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, from January 19th to February 10th. This research was conducted by the 'Solar Volunteer Corps' dispatched by Seoul National University in cooperation with the Arusha Institute of Technology (ATC) in Tanzania and the Tanzania-Korea Science and Technology Center(iTEC, Innovative Technology and Energy Center)
Since 2017, Seoul National University has installed four solar power plants in Ngurudotu Village, Arusha State, and Mkalama Village, Kilimanjaro State. In this study, the power plant was used to move electric vehicles and electric motorcycles, and a system was prepared to remotely monitor the driving information of the cars.
To operate the electric motorcycle in Tanzania, the research team airlifted major parts from Korea and procured batteries from Tanzania to assemble them. Arusha Governor John Mongella personally test-drived the motorcycle and said, "I look forward to the start of technology exchange and electric mobility industry between Korea and Tanzania."
The smart electric motorcycle operated this time can transmit information such as the motorcycle's location, speed, and charging status in real time even in rural villages in Tanzania where data communication is difficult. Using the 2G communication network, it is possible to monitor the driving information of motorcycles from a distance. The power to charge the motorcycle comes from the solar independent power grid installed by Seoul National University.
Sung-Hoon Ahn, a professor of mechanical engineering at Seoul National University, said, "The goal is to build a smart solar grid network in northern Tanzania, which is located near the equator and has plenty of solar energy, and to create a smart city throughout the state of Arusha." He also said, “If the village runs its transportation network its own energy, rather than relying oil, it will serve as a model for regional development that has achieved carbon neutrality.”