0:00:15 > 0:00:20Hello and welcome. Today is the first semi-final of My Genius Idea,
0:00:20 > 0:00:25the series that's looking for the biggest, best and brightest ideas from all of you.
0:00:25 > 0:00:30In My Genius Idea, we're looking for the next generation of inventors.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35We received ideas from all over the UK.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40Genius Ideas ranged from how to look after your pets, robots to help around the home,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43through to flying cars and eco-powered planes.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47Only 18 ideas made it to the heats.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52And we've spent the last six shows looking for our semi-finalists.
0:00:52 > 0:00:57So far, our budding inventors have worked with experts to help their inventions come to life,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00but now they have to take their genius ideas into the real world,
0:01:00 > 0:01:03to see if they can actually work.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08'In today's show, we get mega dance act Flawless to make electricity...
0:01:08 > 0:01:10'We use a canal lock as a giant bath...'
0:01:10 > 0:01:12It's harder than it looks, all right?
0:01:12 > 0:01:16'..and road-test an invention that might save cyclists' lives.'
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Cyclist approaching. Cyclist approaching.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23All our semi-finalists will have to impress expert inventor
0:01:23 > 0:01:28and judge Tom Laughton, and prove that their idea is worthy of a place in the grand final.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- 'Tom has always had a passion for inventing.'- I love it.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36There are so many ideas all around us.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38There's always a solution that needs to be solved
0:01:38 > 0:01:40or a problem that hasn't been addressed yet.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45Tom started inventing when he was ten, and by the time he was 21,
0:01:45 > 0:01:47he developed his first product,
0:01:47 > 0:01:49the world's first recordable alarm clock.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52You always have ideas, and being an inventor
0:01:52 > 0:01:56is about actually seeing those ideas through into something that's real.
0:01:56 > 0:02:02He's gone on to build a successful career as an inventor, winning international awards for his work.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05What must our semi-finalists do today to impress you
0:02:05 > 0:02:07and go through to the all-important final?
0:02:07 > 0:02:11They're going to have to show their passion and enthusiasm behind the idea,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15and be forthcoming about some of the problems that they may have encountered
0:02:15 > 0:02:17through the real world tests.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20In these tests, they'll each be reunited with their experts,
0:02:20 > 0:02:23to see if their invention can work out in the real world.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27They'll have to report the results of their tests back to Tom.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31He'll want to know how well the tests went and if the idea can be improved,
0:02:31 > 0:02:35if they've any chance of winning a place in the final.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Tom, you can relax for now. I'm about to introduce
0:02:38 > 0:02:41our first three semi-finalists. But first, here's how they got here.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54Robyn fought off tough competition in heat three to win her place in the semi-finals,
0:02:54 > 0:02:58with her idea of powering buildings by using electricity
0:02:58 > 0:03:00made by people's movement.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04When I found out I was going through, I was so happy and I got really excited.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06I just couldn't stop smiling.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19Stewart triumphed in heat six to win his place in the semi-finals.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21His idea of a wireless communication device
0:03:21 > 0:03:26to stop people overfilling their baths caught the eye of Tom.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27I was really shocked.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30So shocked, I didn't know it'd happened.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Tybalt beat off the competition in heat two
0:03:40 > 0:03:42to secure himself a place in the semi-finals.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46His invention is a bike bleeper to alert car drivers to cyclists.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49It's Tybalt.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53'When I was standing in front of Tom, I didn't expect to win at all.'
0:03:53 > 0:03:56When I heard my name, I was speechless and really happy.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Now, our budding inventors have all been out in the field,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04testing their ideas further, in a series of real world tests.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09First up in our real-world tests road-trip is Robyn.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Robyn wants to harness energy created by people's footsteps
0:04:15 > 0:04:17and turn it into electricity.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21To do this, she's using a special material called piezoelectric.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25When pressure is applied to the material, electricity is generated.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28We're here at a renowned London dance studio,
0:04:28 > 0:04:33where dance superstars, Flawless, are going to help Robyn test her invention...
0:04:33 > 0:04:34by dancing on it.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37# Tonight's the night Let's live it up
0:04:37 > 0:04:39# I got my money... #
0:04:39 > 0:04:43Flawless are one of the UK's leading street dance acts.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46They've danced for some of the world's most famous artists -
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Beyonce, Leona Lewis and Madonna.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55Today, they're doing a one-off performance for Robyn,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58to see if they can make her idea work.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02But can their flawless dance moves help win her a place in the final?
0:05:03 > 0:05:06Now, Robyn, who do you think will benefit from your idea?
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Well, anywhere where there's a lot of movement created,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12like dance studios, schools, hospitals,
0:05:12 > 0:05:18- anywhere where they have big buildings which a lot of people use. - Are you much of a dancer yourself?
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Yeah, I've been dancing since I was three years old.
0:05:21 > 0:05:28- Wow, that's a long time. Then you might have heard of a little-known dance troupe called Flawless?- Yeah!
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Well, they're going to help demonstrate the power of your idea,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- along with your expert. Are you up for that?- Yep.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Come on, then, Robyn.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- Hello, guys. This is Robyn. - FLAWLESS: Hi, Robyn.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41And we've come here today to test out her invention, OK?
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- What a set-up!- OK, so what we've got...
0:05:44 > 0:05:48'In Robyn's real-world test, she'll be able to see at first-hand whether it can work or not.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51'Her expert, Professor Neil White, has built a mini prototype.'
0:05:51 > 0:05:56- It's got some devices in the middle to generate the electricity.- OK.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59We'll see how much we can get when the guys dance on it.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01And how will we know how much energy's coming through?
0:06:01 > 0:06:06We can look on this device here and see how much electricity is being generated.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10- Flawless, are you guys ready for a dance marathon?- Yeah!
0:06:10 > 0:06:15MUSIC: Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
0:06:15 > 0:06:17As Flawless put all their energy into their dancing,
0:06:17 > 0:06:21how much electricity can they make in 30 minutes?
0:06:21 > 0:06:23That's the big question.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26All they've got to do is keep dancing.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29With the boys' help, Robyn will be able to find out
0:06:29 > 0:06:31important information about her idea
0:06:31 > 0:06:34that she'll have to put in a pitch to Tom later.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38He'll want to know how the test went, if the idea can be improved
0:06:38 > 0:06:40and what problems there might be.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- Even I chipped in with a few moves. - MUSIC: "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson
0:06:44 > 0:06:46And so did Robyn.
0:06:48 > 0:06:49# Go on, girl! #
0:06:55 > 0:07:01We're halfway through the test and Flawless give it their all for the last 15 minutes.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02# The way you make me feel... #
0:07:02 > 0:07:04It's a perfect performance, as they give the dance mat,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08and the piezoelectric electric elements inside, a real workout.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13But will all their energy actually make Robyn enough energy?
0:07:13 > 0:07:18After half an hour of flawless moves, we're ready to get the results.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Surely we'd be able to power up a city by now
0:07:20 > 0:07:22with all that energy in the room?
0:07:22 > 0:07:24What read-out have we got here?
0:07:24 > 0:07:28- OK, so here we've got less than one volt.- What could that power up?
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Just get a little glimmer off a very small light.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- That's about it, unfortunately. - After half an hour of hard-core dancing.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37One of the other factors to be considered
0:07:37 > 0:07:42- is durability.- Totally.- Because what we've got here is the device - it's connected by wires,
0:07:42 > 0:07:46and the solder connections have been pulled off.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50That's happening because they're dancing straight on top of it, but when it's actually made,
0:07:50 > 0:07:54it should be under the floorboards, so it shouldn't break as easily.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Well, Robyn, what a day. How did you find that?
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- It was fantastic.- And what was your favourite part of the day?
0:08:00 > 0:08:01It was dancing with Flawless.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04How did you think your invention stood up?
0:08:04 > 0:08:10Well, I think it went really well. Apart from the wires breaking, I think we did create energy,
0:08:10 > 0:08:12but maybe we could have a bigger surface area
0:08:12 > 0:08:18- and then it would create more energy to be turned into electricity. - So you're still feeling positive
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- about your invention?- Yep.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25Flawless!
0:08:25 > 0:08:29So, Robyn's genius idea does work but it's not producing much energy
0:08:29 > 0:08:32and will need to be made stronger, so there's more to do.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34But Robyn still remains confident
0:08:34 > 0:08:36she could bag that spot in the final.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Next to put their idea to the test in the real world is Stewart.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47His idea is the wireless bath communication device,
0:08:47 > 0:08:49WBCD for short.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51It's an alarm system to let people know
0:08:51 > 0:08:53their bath is about to overflow.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56It uses sensor technology in the bath to detect the water level,
0:08:56 > 0:09:00and a wireless bleeper to alert users the bath is full.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03If we wanted an easy life, we could have just tested out
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Stewart's invention in a normal bath, but where's the fun in that?
0:09:06 > 0:09:09No, we wanted a bigger bath, a humungous bath,
0:09:09 > 0:09:10the size of the River Lee.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Stewart, tell us about how you came up with the idea?
0:09:16 > 0:09:18My grandma has a friend who has Alzheimer's,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21which makes him forget, and he's flooded the house twice.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Oh, no. So it's good for people with Alzheimer's,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27but will it benefit anybody else?
0:09:27 > 0:09:32Yeah, loads of other people, like people who have teenagers.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- I like it. Teenagers who forget that they've run a bath.- Yes.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38It's a really great idea.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- Are you ready to meet your expert? - Yeah.- Let's do it.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44We've reunited Stewart with his expert, Kim Fisher,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47who's setting up the wireless bath bleeper-test.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52If this test works, it could win Stewart a place in the final showdown.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56We've got the water sensor on the end of a bar here.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59And that senses when water touches it.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04And this transmitter then transmits wirelessly to this box here.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- ALERT: 'Oi, the bath's full!' - Ah! Stewart, that's you.- Yep.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09I like it.
0:10:09 > 0:10:10Kim, it's very impressive,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13but you're pressing that button and that's cheating.
0:10:13 > 0:10:14Well let's give it a try
0:10:14 > 0:10:18with the water coming right up to the sensor here in the lock.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21So, it's time to put the model to the test.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24It's all down to these two wires on the end of the sensor.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27They're not attached but when the water makes contact with them,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29it completes an electrical circuit,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31which, if it works, will trigger the alarm.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33'Oi, the bath's full.'
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- OK, Stewart, ready?- Yeah!
0:10:35 > 0:10:39'Time to put the plug in our ginormous bath by closing the lock gates.'
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- Are you excited to see if it works? - Yeah.- Brilliant! Let's get going.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47Come on, put your back into it. Come on! It's harder than it looks, all right?
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Yes! OK, let's go to the other side.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56A few final tweaks from Kim and we're ready to go.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00Stewart, on your orders, I'm going to let the water in. Tell me when.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03Later! Now!
0:11:03 > 0:11:04Ever the joker.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09'Next job, turning on the taps. I open the lock's paddles to let the water rush in.'
0:11:09 > 0:11:11There we go, let's see what happens.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16As the lock fills up and gets closer to the sensor, Stewart needs to watch what happens next,
0:11:16 > 0:11:20as he'll have to report back in detail the results of his real-world test to Tom,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23if he has any chance of winning a place in the final.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27This is the moment of truth.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- Will the bleeper go off?- Yes.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- You seem confident. Why are you so confident? - I don't know.- Just got a hunch?
0:11:34 > 0:11:38With the water just millimetres away, will it work?
0:11:38 > 0:11:41We've got one confident young genius here.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42'Oi, the bath's full.'
0:11:42 > 0:11:47- Yes! We have success! - 'Oi, the bath's full.'
0:11:47 > 0:11:53Brilliant. So, in essence, Kim, now that we know it works, we've got to make it user-friendly?
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Yes, and we've got to make it a lot smaller
0:11:55 > 0:11:58so that it's very simple to carry on you,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00instead of it being such a large box.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02That seemed to have gone well.
0:12:02 > 0:12:03How are you feeling?
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- Great.- Yeah? What's the next step? - Making it so that it actually works
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- in the bath and not in the lock. - Right.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14And also, as Kim said, the bleeper's smaller and more user-friendly.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17So, are you feeling confident?
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- Can you take this thing further? - Yeah, I'm super cocky.- Respect.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24Stewart may think he's home and dry,
0:12:24 > 0:12:28but there's still a long way to go in today's semi-final.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Next to road-test his idea is Tybalt.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Tybalt's invention is the bike bleeper
0:12:35 > 0:12:37to warn car drivers of cyclists.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40In his development session, he discovered he could use
0:12:40 > 0:12:44existing car radio technology to get his early warning system to work.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46The bleeper transmits a signal to car radios,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48which then sound a warning.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54We're here at Millbrook, one of the world's leading vehicle testing centres.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59And we've got the test-track all to ourselves with no traffic on it.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02It's the perfect place to test out Tybalt's bike bleeper.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06So, Tybalt, talk to me about the inspiration behind your idea?
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Well, I invented the bike bleeper
0:13:09 > 0:13:13because a friend from school was knocked off his bike and killed.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16So I thought if I invented this,
0:13:16 > 0:13:19it might prevent the number of cyclist deaths.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21So it was a personal experience
0:13:21 > 0:13:24that inspired you to come up with the idea.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27We're on the way to meet Tybalt's expert, Chris Stiles,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30who's built a real-life version of his invention.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33This looks like where all the action's happening, Tybalt.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Let's get out and have a look.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- So, this is the first ever prototype of the bike bleeper?- Absolutely.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Tybalt, come and have a look at your invention in the flesh.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Right, OK, so, do you want to talk us through it, then?
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Sure. For this experiment we've put it inside a weather-proof box.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53It's got its own battery so it's mobile, and it's been compacted down a little bit.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55How are we going to show that it works?
0:13:55 > 0:14:01Well, the plan is to switch it on, and then have you guys approach the cyclist from behind, and hopefully,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04the radio will stop what it's doing, and switch over
0:14:04 > 0:14:07to our radio station and tell you that there's a cyclist coming.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- OK, so the first thing you need to do is switch the radio on.- OK.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13As the transmitter's on on the bike and we're picking up the signal,
0:14:13 > 0:14:18- you can see it says "cyclist" so it's receiving the visual alert. - I can see "cyclist" there.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- ALERT: 'Cyclist approaching. Cyclist approaching.'- Right.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24'Cyclist approaching.'
0:14:24 > 0:14:27That's pretty cool, isn't it, Tybalt?
0:14:27 > 0:14:30'Success straightaway. The car radio immediately picked up
0:14:30 > 0:14:33'the signal from the bike bleeper and broadcast its warning.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36'But that's just the start of the experiment. It must work
0:14:36 > 0:14:37'when the car is moving, so...'
0:14:37 > 0:14:40I think it's time to give it a road-test.
0:14:40 > 0:14:46'Our volunteer cyclists set out on our traffic-free test track with a bleeper safely attached.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48'What will happen when we test it for real?'
0:14:48 > 0:14:53Hopefully, Tybalt, on our approach to the cyclists, before we even get to see the cyclists,
0:14:53 > 0:14:56the bleeper should give us a signal and let us know that they're there,
0:14:56 > 0:14:58so it gives us a chance to slow down.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- Are you nervous?- Yeah.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04I haven't actually come to testing it yet after all this time.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08So I'm really nervous. And I'm going to find out how it works.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14I think it's coming through.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18'And we see the cyclists before anything happens.'
0:15:18 > 0:15:21I can hear something faint, but it's not very loud, and the cyclists
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- are right there.- Yeah, it's not loud enough.
0:15:24 > 0:15:25ALERT: 'Cyclist approaching.'
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- You can hear it, but that was quite late, wasn't it, Tybalt?- Yeah.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Oh, no.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34'It's a frustrating result and a potential problem for Tybalt.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36'Is it the end of the road for him in the competition?
0:15:36 > 0:15:41'While the bleeper eventually went off, the bike transmitter's strength was too low
0:15:41 > 0:15:44'to reach the car in time, but can this be fixed?'
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Hi, guys, how did you get on?
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Basically, it was too faint, the sound,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52and we'd gone past the cyclists. No visual sign came up.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Oh, so on the display, when it should say "cyclist", that didn't appear?
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- No. Oh, no.- On the positive side, we definitely got a signal,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02but it was too late. So what do you think went wrong?
0:16:02 > 0:16:04I think this is do with signal strength.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Because it's so low, you don't get much volume through,
0:16:08 > 0:16:11and the visual check that comes through is getting scrambled as well.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13How easy is it to strengthen that signal?
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Very easy. We need to work out how strong the signal needs to be for the system to work.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20So the concept's good, but still some work to be done, I think.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25In the end, it's good news for Tybalt. His bleeper can be improved.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29He'll have to tell Tom this in his pitch if he's got any chance of
0:16:29 > 0:16:31securing a place in the final.
0:16:31 > 0:16:32How did you find your day?
0:16:32 > 0:16:35It was really good apart from the part where it didn't work.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39But I know we could fix that, maybe with a stronger signal.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42So overall, a bit disappointed it didn't work as you wanted it to,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- but happy you might be able to make this idea come to reality?- Yeah.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49So even though Tybalt's still feeling confident about his idea,
0:16:49 > 0:16:52there's a lot more work that needs to be done
0:16:52 > 0:16:53to be on the road to success.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56With the real-world tests completed,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59they've each thrown up different problems for the young inventors to solve.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03Robyn's found out that her invention needs to be much larger
0:17:03 > 0:17:05if it's to generate enough electricity.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Stewart's seen his invention work, but has identified
0:17:08 > 0:17:10it needs to be much smaller.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13And Tybalt's seen first-hand the transmitter range
0:17:13 > 0:17:15is key to making his idea work.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17But who can impress Tom the most with their results
0:17:17 > 0:17:20and win themselves a place in the final?
0:17:22 > 0:17:25So, Tom, we've just seen our real-world tests there.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- Anything that jumped out at you? - Robyn's looked like brilliant fun.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31- Oh, it was!- And I'm looking forward to learning whether she learnt
0:17:31 > 0:17:34and discovered a lot along the day.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Anything there that surprised you?
0:17:36 > 0:17:41A few things, but more so, I think, that surprised the young inventors, which is really important
0:17:41 > 0:17:44because the real-world tests are all about
0:17:44 > 0:17:49identifying problems, hurdles that you might need to face before you develop an idea too far forward.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53So, really encouraging to see that they've been taking on board.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56I'm going to let you make your final preparations.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01Each young inventor is looking forward to coming in and chatting with you again about their idea.
0:18:01 > 0:18:02Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- Right, guys, you know what time it is, don't you?- Yep.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Tom is ready for you to go and see him.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- Who is going first?- Me.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- Robyn? Are you ready? - Yeah.- A big smile on your face.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- It's your big moment. Do you feel prepared?- Yeah.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23You put a lot of work into this. Off you go.
0:18:23 > 0:18:24We're rooting for you!
0:18:24 > 0:18:27To impress Tom, Robyn will need to remember all the technology
0:18:27 > 0:18:32behind her idea, as well as prove that it has the potential to work.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Will Tom be convinced that she should win a place in the final?
0:18:35 > 0:18:40Hi, Robyn, welcome back. I understand you've been harnessing
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- the energy from a dance troupe.- Yeah.
0:18:43 > 0:18:48- How did that go?- Well, it went really well because I got to see my idea.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52And I danced on top of it to see how much energy it would create.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Can you explain to me a little bit more about exactly what you did test?
0:18:56 > 0:18:58We tried to test how much energy
0:18:58 > 0:19:02the mat can harness when people are dancing on top of it.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Was it possible to harness energy?
0:19:05 > 0:19:09My expert said that the energy that was being created was just enough to
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- power a light bulb, and that was on a small surface.- OK.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- What problems arose from the test? - While they were dancing on the mat,
0:19:16 > 0:19:21the wires were coming apart and the energy was going down.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- But if you were to design it through, you'd make it more robust?- Yeah.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Were you surprised about the amount of energy that you could get?
0:19:28 > 0:19:32Did you produce more energy than you thought or less energy?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34I thought I'd produce more energy
0:19:34 > 0:19:37because I didn't think that much energy would be produced
0:19:37 > 0:19:41when I saw the size of the mat, because it was only quite small.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44But if it was a bigger area, like the size of the actual floor,
0:19:44 > 0:19:46then it would create more energy.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50So I think we did quite well for just a small area.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52So having completed your real-world tests
0:19:52 > 0:19:55do you really think the idea can work?
0:19:55 > 0:20:02Yes, because there is enough room under the floors for it to be built in,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05and there shouldn't be any problem with it once it's built in.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08If the durability issues could be overcome,
0:20:08 > 0:20:12could you think of anywhere else that might not necessarily be
0:20:12 > 0:20:15for capturing footfall energy, that this could work?
0:20:15 > 0:20:20If it was possible to build it in speed bumps or under the ground, then I think you could be able to.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25It'd just be the problem of the concrete or whatever material you're putting over the top of it,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28because it might not be able to collect the energy.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Well, I'm impressed that you've taken it on so far,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34and it's still a very, very feasible idea.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38And I think you've done very well at answering my questions, so, thank you very much.
0:20:41 > 0:20:48I'm happy with what I said to Tom today because he liked all the ideas,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51and hopefully I might go through to the final.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Next up, it's Stewart. Has he done enough to move
0:20:54 > 0:20:57his wireless bath communication device on,
0:20:57 > 0:21:01and persuade Tom that he's worthy of a place in the final?
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Hello, Stewart.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06I understand you've been testing your idea in a very big bath.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- How did it go?- It went brilliant.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13We just used a bit like a bath, a lock.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- Yeah?- We filled it up with water and tested just a simple design.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20So you tested the raising water levels
0:21:20 > 0:21:24and you had a mock-up of your device, and it seemed to do the job perfectly?
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Most aspects of the design work. We still need to improve.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30We haven't made a proper prototype.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34OK. Did any problems arise during your tests?
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- Not that we really know of.- OK.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39It did work.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41We just didn't see any problem.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45The element that goes onto the bath itself has obviously got to be powered, hasn't it?
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Would that be battery or mains-powered?
0:21:47 > 0:21:49It would have to be battery-powered,
0:21:49 > 0:21:54just in case anything went wrong where it actually ended up,
0:21:54 > 0:21:56maybe electrocuting somebody.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Yeah. And talk to me again more about the user
0:22:00 > 0:22:02who's going to benefit from this?
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Well, the user's going to benefit
0:22:05 > 0:22:09because of all sorts of different reasons, like it saves money.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- Yep.- It's environmentally friendly.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15This is all to do with the fact that you're preventing the waste of water from an overspill?
0:22:15 > 0:22:20- Yes. If you're using hot water, it saves fuel.- I'd say, as well,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24if you did overfill the bath, the damage that it could cause, as well,
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- would be...- Yeah, it would stop damage, so, again save more money.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33You talked, last time in the pitches, about the potential to integrate it
0:22:33 > 0:22:37with the actual tap and the water system of your bath, so that they
0:22:37 > 0:22:40could actually shut it down. Have you expanded the idea any more there?
0:22:40 > 0:22:42We're not sure on that part.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46We haven't really been able to expand it that far because
0:22:46 > 0:22:51- it's more chance of going wrong if there's a timer on the taps or anything like that.- Yeah. Very good.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55- Well, listen, well done and thanks for your presentation.- OK.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02I think it went brilliantly.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04I'm very happy with what I said.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Finally, it's Tybalt's turn to pitch his bike bleeper.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14Tom's judging all the young inventors on how well their ideas have progressed from the heats,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17and on the results from their real-world tests.
0:23:17 > 0:23:24- Hi, Tybalt. I understand you've been testing your device with real cyclists?- Yeah.- How did it go?
0:23:24 > 0:23:27We did, sort of, a few tests just with the box near the car.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30And we turned the radio on and it worked.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33So what aspects did you feel worked really well?
0:23:33 > 0:23:38I was pleased that it actually worked and that I know I can get it down smaller
0:23:38 > 0:23:40so it can just go on the bike handlebars.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44So because it's a prototype, it was a little larger than it would be.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46And tell me, how's the idea improved?
0:23:46 > 0:23:52I know I need a specific signal and I've changed the device from
0:23:52 > 0:23:5530 metres to 50, so you get a good warning,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58and if you're travelling at a fast speed, you've got time to slow down.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03There's going to be a switch on the cyclist's device
0:24:03 > 0:24:07that you can turn off and on, so you can turn the device off and on.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- And why would you need to do that? - In case you are in a big place
0:24:10 > 0:24:12like Oxford or Cambridge,
0:24:12 > 0:24:16where there's lots of cyclists around and it might get quite irritating for car drivers.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20- OK.- So the cyclists could turn it off if they were on a cycle path.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22How about powering your device?
0:24:22 > 0:24:27Reliability's a very important issue with a safety device like this.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31How would you ensure that the batteries worked as long as they could?
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Maybe at the start, I think it's just
0:24:33 > 0:24:37going to be rechargeable batteries, but maybe one day I could make it
0:24:37 > 0:24:42so the power of the pedal and the wheels turning could power it.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45OK. Well, you certainly seem to be evolving the idea forward,
0:24:45 > 0:24:49- so well done and good luck. - Thank you.- Thanks, Tybalt.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57I feel better because I've done my pitch, but I'm feeling
0:24:57 > 0:24:58more nervous about the outcome.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Robyn, Stewart and Tybalt have tested their ideas in the real world
0:25:04 > 0:25:08and have pitched their results to Tom, but only one of them can win
0:25:08 > 0:25:10a place in the all-important final.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14Will it be Robyn and her idea to power buildings
0:25:14 > 0:25:16by making electricity from movement?
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Stewart and his wireless bath communication device,
0:25:18 > 0:25:20to stop you overfilling your bath?
0:25:20 > 0:25:24Or Tybalt's bike bleeper, to alert car drivers to cyclists?
0:25:24 > 0:25:27So, Tom, the first of our semi-finals today?
0:25:27 > 0:25:30I've been really impressed. I mean, from the heats,
0:25:30 > 0:25:35these guys have really taken on everything that their real-world tests were going to provide them.
0:25:35 > 0:25:40- It must've been quite a difficult decision?- This one has been particularly difficult.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44So, Tom, have you made a decision as to who you're going to put through to the final?
0:25:44 > 0:25:46I have. I'm confident I've made the right decision.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49OK, if you'd like to take a seat.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52It's time to welcome in our three semi-finalists.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54It's crunch time.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58They've all spent time testing their ideas and have pitched them to Tom.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01But who has won that place in the final?
0:26:01 > 0:26:03How are you feeling?
0:26:03 > 0:26:06ALL: Nervous!
0:26:06 > 0:26:11Listen, you've all done so well to get down to the last six of My Genius Idea.
0:26:11 > 0:26:17But Tom has made a decision on who he's going to put through to the final. Tom,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20- it's over to you.- The three of you have done brilliantly
0:26:20 > 0:26:23to get so far, but I have made my decision.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Robyn, you've had a fabulous idea that demonstrates
0:26:26 > 0:26:30lateral thinking on how to generate energy sustainably, which is admirable.
0:26:30 > 0:26:37But there's so much investment required in order to produce this on a scale that we'd find useful,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39and I worry about the cost-benefit trade-off.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44Stewart, you've had a great idea and you've proved that it does work.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49But you still face significant challenges in making the design user-friendly.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Tybalt, you've got a wonderful idea.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55It's been inspired by your own very personal experience.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59But I'm still concerned that drivers might not adopt the technology.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01But I have made my decision,
0:27:01 > 0:27:07and the young inventor that I'm going to send through to the final is...
0:27:14 > 0:27:16..Tybalt.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21So, Tybalt wins a place in the final with his idea
0:27:21 > 0:27:24of a bike bleeper to protect cyclists.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27And he's still in with a chance of winning My Genius Idea.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32Tybalt, it's been such a journey to get to this point and now you're through to the final,
0:27:32 > 0:27:38- how are you feeling?- Really good. - You can't put it into words, can you? You're overwhelmed.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41- Go on, enjoy your moment, say hello to Tom.- Well done, young man.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45- Well done.- Thanks, Tom. - So, we have our first My Genius Idea finalist and it was Tybalt.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Join us next time, when we'll be looking for one more idea
0:27:48 > 0:27:51to join Tybalt in the My Genius Idea final.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:03 > 0:28:06E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk