Designer Creates Rolling, Landmine-Detonating Ball Based on Childhood Toy

Locating and removing landmines is dangerous process. That's why designer Massoud Hassani developed a landmine detonator with the intent that it would roll around an implanted area setting off the bombs without the potential cost of human life.

The 25-year-old originally from Afghanistan, who fled at age 14 and is now living in the Netherlands after studying at the Design Academy Eindhoven, created Mine Kafon, a wind-powered, inexpensive device for setting off the explosives.

Mine Kafon (Image: Vimeo screenshot)

On his website, Hassani explains inspiration for the rolling design stemmed from a childhood toy.

"We used to race against the other kids on the fields in our neighborhood," he wrote. "There was always a strong wind waving towards the mountains. While we were racing against each other, our small miniatures rolled way to fast and too far. Mostly they landed in areas where we were not allowed to step a foot on. Those areas were properties of great dangers and landmines. It was full of them. I still remember those friends that we have lost and saw them getting injured."

(Image: Vimeo screenshot)

From this idea, Hassani made his rolling landmine detonator 20 times bigger and heavier. The Mine Kafon also has a GPS device embedded so users could monitor where it goes, finding the safest places to walk.

"In Afghanistan there are 10 million land mines on paper. In fact there are much more," Hassani wrote. "Every destroyed land mine means a saved life and every life counts."

Working with the Dutch Explosive Disposal Ordnance Unit, Hassani tested the design earlier this year but found it was not yet ready for its intended purpose. He hopes the unit will help him refine his design.

In May, BBC featured Hassani's Mine Kafon, stating that its construction of bamboo "legs" and plastic "feet" only costs $50. Mine-detecting experts said at the time the Mine Kafon will need to be improved in the way of it being able to withstand multiple blasts to continue clearing a mine field. It is also a downside that it requires wind to move and is most effective on flat, open ground. The device does show promise though for indicating that an area should be marked as dangerous for mines.

Hassani constructing the Mine Kafon. (Photo: MineKafon.blogspot)

A documentary of Hassani and his Mine Kafon is being created by Adent Film. Watch this recently released teaser trailer:

(H/T: Daily Mail)