Robert Sansone is a natural born engineer. From animatronic hands to high-speed running boots and a go-kart that can reach speeds of more than 70 miles an hour, the Florida-based inventor estimates he’s completed at least 60 engineering projects in his spare time. And he’s only 17 years old.
The biggest so far: Robert has invented a motor which has the potential to make electric cars truly sustainable. At the moment, most electric vehicles use rare minerals, which are mined from the Earth. They generate strong magnetic fields that help the car to move, but they are expensive and toxic to the planet.
But Robert could change this. He has won first prize at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) for a magnet-free synchronous reluctance motor that could one day revolutionise the electric vehicle industry. The prize, which includes $75,000, has brought significant attention to the young engineer.
You can watch his video here: