ZaiLab designs space truck to travel from Cape to Cairo

ZaiLab CEO, Nour Addine Ayyoub, decided to partner the truck’s journey with his humanitarian project, Voices of Humanity, which aims to record the lived experience of a wide spectrum of people. The intention, in this inaugural journey, is to spread the message of rewarding conversations across the continent.

The custom-built vehicle features a repurposed military 6×6 MAN KAT chassis, while the bodywork design was inspired by futuristic vehicles from science fiction films such as Tron, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars, as well as a heavy duty V10 diesel engine. The truck can survive even the toughest terrain, which has come in handy in its great trek across the continent.

Ayyoub’s industrial design team jumped at the chance to design the futuristic vehicle. His unique approach to building his company attracted a dedicated team who share their CEO’s vision.

The expedition, which includes Ayyoub himself and ZaiLab staff members Dominique Vandenhoudt (videographer) and Roelf Mulder (industrial designer), set off from Cape Town in September. The route has thus far taken them north via Namibia and through Zambia, Tanzania and Sudan. The journey hasn’t been without its challenges, with electronic failure, flat tyres and potholes causing all kinds of trouble along the way. But that didn’t stop the team from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in early October.

The team stops to have conversations with locals, asking 10 questions that they record for the Voices of Humanity website. And those interested can check out the cutting-edge contact centre capabilities using the vehicle’s the on-board computers.

The truck, which is currently making its way across Sudan, is scheduled to arrive in Cairo in December before heading overseas to America for the Enterprise Connect Expo taking place in Orlando in March.

Follow the ZaiTruck’s journey on Facebook.