The decision has been made and the 12 candidates to compete on the seventh season of " Stars of Science " have been revealed. Over the course of the season, these ambitious inventors will work alongside mentors in Doha to refine their ideas and build prototypes of their inventions.
Contestants will be tested in elimination episodes, during which the judges evaluate their engineering skills. Four finalists who survive the elimination rounds earn a share of the $600,000 prize, with the winner being revealed in a special live finale.
Last month, representatives of the program said this season would feature "its most talented innovators to date." Here is a look at the 12 individuals competing to the be the Middle East and North Africa's new "Star of Science."
Hassan Albalawi
From: Saudi Arabia
Project: EEG Cap Analyzer
The product is a hat that analyzes electrical activity in the brain to determine alertness levels. If the wearer becomes drowsy, the hat sounds a warning alarm. Drowsy drivers would benefit from this invention as well as construction workers or soldiers.
Nadim Rifai
From: Palestine
Project: Rewarding Behavior Treadmill
Integrating gameplay with exercise, Rifai's project combines an app and a sensor to make running and walking on the treadmill more fun. The app allows users to compete with other users and to also redeem points earned for prizes.
Hazem Khaled
From: Egypt
Project: Sign Language EMG Sleeve
This product records the electrical activity produced by muscles to detect sign language and translate it into words and sounds. Such a product would allow the deaf to speak to people who don't know sign language. The technology could have other uses for communications, computing and robotics.
Naouel Ayari
From: Tunisia
Project: Smart Refigerator
An intelligent machine, the "Smart Refigerator" studies and learns from its users interactions. It can take inventory of food items, track expiration dates, make suggestions for healthy recipes, compile a shopping list and give advice on consumption.
Omar Hamid
From: Egypt
Project: Prayer Chair
Prayer is an important tenet of Islam and although elderly and disabled individuals may not be able to prostrate themselves when praying, they continue the rituals from chairs. Hamid's product is designed to support these worshippers, offering assistive standing and sitting in a compact design, eliminating interference often caused by normal chairs used in mosques.
Abdullah Aldossary
From: Saudi Arabia
Project: Airport Smart Chair
Aldossary's project addresses the issue faced by travelers who would like to nap during long layovers at airports but fear missing their flight. His smart chair syncs with the users flight itinerary, even updating automatically with delays or changes, waking the traveller in time to make their flight.
Fawzy Othman
From: Tunisia
Project: Robotic Goalie Trainer
Instead of relying on practicing with teammates, Othman's product would allow football goalies to train alone. The device automatically shoots footballs at the goal through a customized practice scheme. This will make practicing and training more efficient for coaches and the team as a whole.
Husam Alhennawi
From: Palestine
Project: Automatic Stair Climber
This product would serve the elderly, injured and disabled when elevators and escalators are not present. The product features a platform that the individual can stand on top of while it automatically climbs the stairs for them, pivoting so the individual's balance is never affected.
Adib Al Ghossein
From: Lebanon
Project: Ergonomic Activity Desk Lamp
The lamp analyzes a range of factors to ensure the ideal lighting conditions for tasks such as reading, writing, soldering and tailoring. As the user changes activities, the light changes seamlessly. The product would help students, office workers, mechanics and others professionals avoid the negative effects of bad lighting.
Maymoona Ayesh
From: Jordan
Project: Date Pits Filter in Desalination
Ayesh's environmentally conscious project uses crushed date pits to rid seawater of its salt, making it drinkable. The project is significant for the region and globally, as freshwater sources are being depleted while the population continues to climb.
Mourad Benosman
From: Algeria
Project: ECG Wearable Stress Analyzer
Although heart rate monitors have existed for a long time, this is the first to designate between physical and mental stress. The devices uses sensors that detect and record physical movement, allowing doctors and users to better understand their own stress.
Yaman Abou Jieb
From: Syria
Project: Solar Washing Machine
Addressing the issue of power cuts, all too common in Abou Jieb's homeland of Syria, the washing machine utilizes solar power and recycles water. The machine can be used regardless of power cuts while also serving as a more environmentally friendly alternative.