Prototype This!

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Prototype This! is a TV series that claims to "look into the viability of gadgets and technology seen in science-fiction movies".[1] The series premiered on October 15, 2008, on The Discovery Channel. It is filmed on Treasure Island 37°49′01″N 122°22′10″W / 37.816924°N 122.369487°W / 37.816924; -122.369487 (Prototype This! Lair).

The show follows a team of inventors, as they try to build the future:

  • Dr. Mike North – Material Science, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • Joe Grand – Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Boston University
  • Terry Sandin – Special Effects Guru, Hollywood
  • Dr. Zoz Brooks – Robotics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Contents

[edit] Production

Although this show shares producers (Beyond Productions) and location (San Francisco Bay Area, California) with the TV series MythBusters, it is entirely distinct.

The pilot episode for the series was shot at TechShop in Menlo Park in December 2006. Three sets were constructed in TechShop's large conference room, and the machine shop and sheet metal shop were painted in color schemes that would look good on camera. Many parts of the TechShop facilities were used in the show pilot, including the main workshop, welding shop, and laser cutter room.

The series will consist of 13 parts.

[edit] Episodes

[edit] Season 1: 2008-2009

Episode # Episode name Description Original air date
01 Mind Controlled Car Our team of inventors attempts to prototype a car that utilizes biofeedback sensors to restrict a car's performance as its driver’s agitation level increases. Joe and Zoz will use cutting edge biofeedback and mind control technologies as the brains of the prototypes while Terry and Mike retrofit the test cars for an extreme test to prove the concept: a demolition derby where road rage is inevitable. October 15, 2008
02 Boxing robots The prototype team looks into the future of gaming — and giant, boxing robots are what they see. Joe and Zoz utilize a technology called optical glyph tracking to allow the robots to register and mimic their human counterparts’ boxing movements, while Mike is charged with dressing the metallic skeletons and Terry with building the metal beasts themselves. And then it’s into the boxing ring for a metallic monster slugfest! October 22, 2008
03 Traffic Busting Truck The boys take on the challenge of building a car that will beat traffic by rising up — and driving over it. And as an added bonus, the lift allows the vehicle to find parking like nothing else on wheels. The key to this build is a set of amazing wheels that can move in all directions without actually turning. October 29, 2008
04 Six-Legged All Terrain Vehicle Inspired by the “legs” of an innovative robot called RHex, the prototypers decide to use this basic design with its synchronized alternating tripod gait and build it BIG! What first appears as a simple upscaling project becomes a real challenge when the team discovers that size can change everything. November 5, 2008
05 Backyard Waterslide Simulator No water theme park is complete without a long run on a water slide, but what do you do when you don’t have the room in your backyard? Let the laws of physics give you a ride! In what may be their most massive build, the team puts together an amazing, fun-filled “slide-in-a-ring” and then turns on the hose for some aquatic fun. November 12, 2008
06 Firefighter Future Tech The team tries to revolutionize firefighting equipment. As they learned, hauling the heavy fire equipment up flights of stairs leaves firefighters tired, and with less oxygen in their tank. One of their challenges was to build a "Stairbot" to carry the equipment, and then convert into a rescue seat. The second challenge the team faced was to design an ergonomical "PyroPack" that would give our flamebustin' heroes the chance to save even more lives. November 19, 2008
07 Get Up And Go The team of engineers attempts to invent a space-age sleeping pod that gets you up, fed, showered, groomed, dressed, informed and out the door in a matter of minutes. Initial attempts to automate things like shaving and eating turn out to be either scary or messy, but some surprising breakthroughs pave the way for a triumphant public demonstration. November 26, 2008
08 Automated Pizza Delivery The team attempts to build an automated pizza delivery robot and automated pizza delivery car (see: driverless car), but only after scary attempts with massive blimps. December 3, 2008
09 Wearable Airbag The team attempts to invent a wearable airbag to protect construction workers in case they fall from high-rises. December 10, 2008
10 Virtual Sea Adventure The team attempts to invent a telepresence deep sea diving experience. December 17, 2008
11 Flying Life Guard The team tries to develop two flying-lifeguard systems to protect swimmers on unguarded beaches. Aired (Day unknown)
12 Gecko Superhero Suit The team attemps to invent two devices for humans to scale a smooth vertical surface and to scale a rough vertical surface like a gecko does, calling the human either "Geckoman" or "Geckowoman." Aired (Day unknown)
13 Robo Dog Sitter The team of inventors attempts to engineer the world's first robotic dog sitter. Designed to play with, let out and discipline your dog, the Robo Dog Sitter will also allow an owner at work to communicate with his dog via a monitor on the robot. Aired (Day unknown)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Scott Ellis, No myths busted about Australian success, The Sunday Morning Herald, January 7, 2007. Accessed January 8, 2007.

[edit] External links

[edit] See also

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