DOHA: In an elimination episode of MBC 4’s Stars of Science, an edutainment reality TV programme initiated by Qatar Foundation (QF), Omar Hamid of Egypt and Fawzy Othman of Tunisia delivered a spirited defence of their prototypes to prevail over their competitors.
The pair edged out Abdullah Aldossary from Saudi Arabia and Hussam Al Hinnawi from Palestine in an episode that featured Season 7’s most diverse set of inventions yet.
Twelve candidates aged 18 to 30 are given opportunity to come to Doha, where they are mentored by world-class engineering and design specialists in laboratories of Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP). There, innovators are challenged as they develop their ideas from concept to potential products.
Fawzy explained to the jury how his Robotic Goalie Trainer could revolutionise goalkeepers’ practice sessions by automatically shooting footballs as part of a customised programme.
Omar unveiled a re-engineered, compact Prayer Chair designed to offer assistive sitting and standing to worshippers with physical disabilities in mosques.
Hussam demonstrated how his Automatic Stair Climber Machine uses robotic, tank-style treads for users to ascend stairs without effort, at the press of a button.
Rounding out the group, Abdullah debuted his Airport Smart Chair, a lounger with automated features, including an alarm that notifies travellers when their plane begins boarding, even if they are sleeping.
The jury included Yussif Abdulrahman Saleh, General Manager, Qatar Shell Research and Technology Center; Dr Fouad Mrad, Executive Director, United Nations ESCWA regional technology centre; and Dr Francois Gilardoni, a prominent venture capitalist and scientist from Geneva, Switzerland.
The jury, led by Dr Gilardoni, was critical of Hussam’s Automatic Stair Climber Machine, pointing out that it appeared unstable while traversing stairs during his demonstration.
They noted that while Abdullah was able to prove that focus groups liked the idea of the Airport Smart Chair, his presentation had weaknesses that raised more questions about his prototype’s utility than it answered.
Fawzy employed a skilful defence of his Robotic Goalie Trainer prototype when jurors quizzed him about its mechanics.
But Omar managed to steal the show when he presented his Prayer Chair.
All three jurors were impressed by the simple effectiveness of the invention, as well as the perseverance Omar showed despite early setbacks in the laboratory.
Omar outscored everyone by a large margin, earning 69 points, while Fawzy came in second with 52.3. Abdullah and Hussam were placed third and fourth, respectively, and eliminated from the competition.
The Peninsula
