Prototype This!

Watch Prototype This!

  • 2008
  • 1 Season
  • 6.8  (186)

Prototype This! is a cutting-edge show that aired on the Discovery Channel in 2008, starring a team of four brilliant engineers: Andrew Zoz Brooks, Joe Grand, Terry Sandin, and Mike North. The show was directed by John Luscombe and produced by Alan Zackheim. The show challenged the team to tackle seemingly impossible problems and come up with ideas for innovative solutions.

Each episode of Prototype This! focused on a different challenge, with the engineers brainstorming their way through the problem and coming up with creative solutions to address it. The show was equal parts informative and entertaining, as viewers watched the team tackle everything from designing a car that could drive on water to creating a device that could help a wheelchair-bound person climb stairs.

As they began each new project, the Prototype This! team would spend time researching the problem and brainstorming possible solutions. Their brainstorming sessions were always fascinating to watch, as each engineer brought a unique perspective and set of skills to the table. Whether it was Terry's expertise in special effects and animatronics, Joe's proficiency in software and hardware design, Andrew's background in robotic design, or Mike's expertise in physics and engineering, the team worked together to develop the best possible solutions.

Once they had settled on a plan, the engineers would dive headfirst into building their prototype. Viewers got an up-close look at the team's workshop, which was filled with cutting-edge tools and technology that they used to bring their ideas to life. This part of the show was particularly exciting, as viewers watched the team work through the various challenges they encountered while building their prototypes.

Despite the daunting nature of each challenge, the Prototype This! team never gave up. They were always driven to come up with the best possible solutions, even if that meant completely scrapping their initial idea and starting from scratch. This perseverance was one of the show's most inspiring aspects, as viewers saw what was possible when a group of talented engineers put their minds together and refused to give up.

The engineers' personalities and quirks also added to the show's appeal. Andrew was known for his optimism and enthusiasm, often coming up with wild ideas that somehow worked. Joe was the team's resident prankster, always finding ways to inject humor into tense situations. Terry was usually the quietest of the group, but his creativity and expertise were vital to each project's success. Finally, Mike was the resident genius, whose depth of knowledge and experience often helped the team solve the most complicated problems.

In addition to showcasing the engineers' technical skills, Prototype This! also explored the real-world applications of each project they tackled. For example, they created a mind-controlled car that could be driven by a person's thoughts, which had the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry. Similarly, their stair-climbing wheelchair would make life much easier for wheelchair-bound individuals.

The show's production values were top-notch, with dynamic camera angles and snappy editing that helped build excitement throughout each episode. The music was also a highlight, with a propulsive score that helped convey the intense excitement of the design process.

In conclusion, Prototype This! was an excellent show that combined cutting-edge technology with a healthy dose of humor and personality. It was both informative and entertaining, balancing the thrill of watching a group of talented engineers solve seemingly insurmountable problems with the joy of seeing what new and innovative ideas they could come up with. Despite only running for one season, Prototype This! left an indelible mark on the world of science and engineering and will be remembered as a groundbreaking and inspiring show.

Prototype This! is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between October 15, 2008 and on Discovery Channel

Prototype This!
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Seasons
Robo Dog Sitter
13. Robo Dog Sitter
March 26, 2009
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.
Flying Lifeguard
12. Flying Lifeguard
March 12, 2009
Looking to protect swimmers from danger on unguarded beaches, the team of engineers attempts to prototype two different flying-lifeguard systems.
Gecko Superman Suit
11. Gecko Superman Suit
December 31, 2008
It's time for some superhero adventure with San Franciso's own "Fantastic Four." Inspired by the superhuman abilities of the gecko (Mike's favorite critter!) and cutting edge research at Stanford University, the team attempts to create a real-life superhero: GECKOMAN. The guys split-up and attempt three separate prototypes. Mike works on a sticky adhesive to scale glass buildings, Terry builds a claw-like system to climb vertical concrete structures, and Joe and Zoz work on an electrical solution that can carry a human straight-up both.
Virtual Sea Adventure
10. Virtual Sea Adventure
December 17, 2008
The team want to invent a virtual deep sea diving adventure that allows you to SCUBA dive in a swimming pool but feel like you're at any reef in the world.
Wearable Airbag
9. Wearable Airbag
December 10, 2008
The engineers work to invent an airbag which will protect workers who fall from a high rise project. Among the features include a auto-sensor for freefall and must deploy in one second, but they need to design it within a 2 week deadline.
Automated Pizza Delivery
8. Automated Pizza Delivery
December 3, 2008
The team hope to create robots, blimps and a self-driving car to cross the Bay Bridge, in an attempt to bring pizza delivery into the 21st century.
Get Up and Go
7. Get Up and Go
November 26, 2008
The team of engineers want to invent a space age sleeping pod that will awaken you, feed, shower, groom, dress, inform and get you out of the house in just a matter of minutes. Initial attempts shaving and eating became both scary and or messy, but a few surprises make for a triumphant public demonstration.
Robotic Firefighter Assistant
6. Robotic Firefighter Assistant
November 19, 2008
The team create projects to help assist the firefighters such as a robotic assistant to help carry their gear and injured victims, plus a device which will assist in the responders vision while in a burning building.
Backyard Waterslide Simulator
5. Backyard Waterslide Simulator
November 12, 2008
Let the the laws of physics give you a ride! In what may be Riding the water slide at a theme park is always fun, but what can you do if your backyard isn't large enough to hold one at home? This may be the teams largest build yet when they create an amazing fun-filled "slide-in-a-ring" and then turn on the hose for some aquatic fun.
Six-Legged All Terrain Vehicle
4. Six-Legged All Terrain Vehicle
November 5, 2008
The prototypers use an inspiration from the "legs" of an innovative robot known as RHex, to create the basic design with a sychronized alternating tripod gait and build it huge. What first looks to be a simple upscaling project becomes a challenge when they find out changing the size really does matter.
Traffic Busting Truck
3. Traffic Busting Truck
October 29, 2008
The guys are challenged to create a car which can rise above the traffic and drive over it. They discover an added bonus while trying to park. The key to the design is finding amazing wheels which can move in every direction without turning.
Boxing Robots
2. Boxing Robots
October 22, 2008
The prototype team take a glimpse into the future of gaming, and their vision is in giant boxing robots. Joe and Zoz use optical glyph tracking which registers and mimics the human movements for the robots to learn while Mike wears a metallic skeleton as Terry is left in charge of the building. Then we will head to the boxing ring for a slug fest between the metallic monsters.
Mind Controlled Car
1. Mind Controlled Car
October 15, 2008
Our team of inventors attempts to prototype a car that utilizes biofeedback sensors to restrict a cars 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.
Description

Prototype This! is a cutting-edge show that aired on the Discovery Channel in 2008, starring a team of four brilliant engineers: Andrew Zoz Brooks, Joe Grand, Terry Sandin, and Mike North. The show was directed by John Luscombe and produced by Alan Zackheim. The show challenged the team to tackle seemingly impossible problems and come up with ideas for innovative solutions.

Each episode of Prototype This! focused on a different challenge, with the engineers brainstorming their way through the problem and coming up with creative solutions to address it. The show was equal parts informative and entertaining, as viewers watched the team tackle everything from designing a car that could drive on water to creating a device that could help a wheelchair-bound person climb stairs.

As they began each new project, the Prototype This! team would spend time researching the problem and brainstorming possible solutions. Their brainstorming sessions were always fascinating to watch, as each engineer brought a unique perspective and set of skills to the table. Whether it was Terry's expertise in special effects and animatronics, Joe's proficiency in software and hardware design, Andrew's background in robotic design, or Mike's expertise in physics and engineering, the team worked together to develop the best possible solutions.

Once they had settled on a plan, the engineers would dive headfirst into building their prototype. Viewers got an up-close look at the team's workshop, which was filled with cutting-edge tools and technology that they used to bring their ideas to life. This part of the show was particularly exciting, as viewers watched the team work through the various challenges they encountered while building their prototypes.

Despite the daunting nature of each challenge, the Prototype This! team never gave up. They were always driven to come up with the best possible solutions, even if that meant completely scrapping their initial idea and starting from scratch. This perseverance was one of the show's most inspiring aspects, as viewers saw what was possible when a group of talented engineers put their minds together and refused to give up.

The engineers' personalities and quirks also added to the show's appeal. Andrew was known for his optimism and enthusiasm, often coming up with wild ideas that somehow worked. Joe was the team's resident prankster, always finding ways to inject humor into tense situations. Terry was usually the quietest of the group, but his creativity and expertise were vital to each project's success. Finally, Mike was the resident genius, whose depth of knowledge and experience often helped the team solve the most complicated problems.

In addition to showcasing the engineers' technical skills, Prototype This! also explored the real-world applications of each project they tackled. For example, they created a mind-controlled car that could be driven by a person's thoughts, which had the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry. Similarly, their stair-climbing wheelchair would make life much easier for wheelchair-bound individuals.

The show's production values were top-notch, with dynamic camera angles and snappy editing that helped build excitement throughout each episode. The music was also a highlight, with a propulsive score that helped convey the intense excitement of the design process.

In conclusion, Prototype This! was an excellent show that combined cutting-edge technology with a healthy dose of humor and personality. It was both informative and entertaining, balancing the thrill of watching a group of talented engineers solve seemingly insurmountable problems with the joy of seeing what new and innovative ideas they could come up with. Despite only running for one season, Prototype This! left an indelible mark on the world of science and engineering and will be remembered as a groundbreaking and inspiring show.

Prototype This! is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between October 15, 2008 and on Discovery Channel

Where to Watch Prototype This!
Prototype This! is available for streaming on the Discovery Channel website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Prototype This! on demand at Discovery+, Amazon Prime, Amazon and Discovery.
  • Premiere Date
    October 15, 2008
  • IMDB Rating
    6.8  (186)
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