After intense challenges and rigorous evaluations, five contestants on Season 15 of Stars of Science – Qatar Foundation’s Arab edutainment TV show that promotes scientific innovation in the region – have proceeded towards the next stage of the competition, known as the ‘design’ stage.
With two more participants eliminated in the last two rounds, the remaining five innovators now stand ready to present their prototypes to the jurors. Displaying ingenuity in promoting animal welfare and modernising traditional sports in this season of Stars of Science, are contestants Mohamed Laouacheria, and Amir Mattar Jaber Alenezi.
Algerian contestant, Laouacheria, has turned to AI for monitoring animal health. His wearable device for cows monitors bio-signals from the animal to identify the onset of any disease or other health conditions, to enable timely preventive measures. His invention provides continuous real-time health monitoring of the animals, while also enhancing their productivity.
For Bahraini contestant, Alenezi, a passion for the sport of falconry led to the creation of the falcon training device, comprising a communication module, a telemetry system to gather data on speed and location, and a robotic arm to emulate the hand gestures of a human. His aim to revolutionise falconry extends beyond the sport’s high-spending market as he seeks to automate and computerise the process, making it accessible to more enthusiasts.
Al Gannas Qatari Society is a Doha-based cultural association for falconers and falconry, that also encourages scientific research in the field of traditional Arabian hunting. Encouraging the innovation being put forth on Stars of Science in the arena of traditional sports, the president of Al Gannas Qatari Society, Ali bin Khatem al-Mehshadi said: “In the quest to keep our fondest traditions alive, one also needs to adapt with the changing times. This also means being more sensitive to issues of animal ethics and safety in our sports, a cause that Stars of Science has tried to address throughout the different seasons of the show."
