Subjects: Technology

The United Arab Emirates is a place of contradictions where traditional Bedouins live next to glittering cities with the tallest and most expensive buildings in the world. Dubai is the world’s fastest growing city. Anything is possible here from camel-riding robots to downhill skiing indoors on real snow. Futuristic skyscrapers rise at breakneck speed on land that was desert only a few years ago. “MegaWorld: Dubai” will take you inside the newest and most innovative projects in this architectural and engineering wonderland.

Megaworld Hawaii exposes the amazing technology and science of one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations. We catch up with Japanese extreme-sailor, Kenichi Horie, as he attempts a Guinness world record trip from Hawaii to Japan aboard the world’s most advanced wave-powered boat. Then we burn our feet mapping flowing lava from the world’s most active volcano, in the accompaniment of Jim K, Hawaii’s foremost expert on volcanoes. We watch the world’s most powerful underwater vacuum, Hawaii’s “Super Sucker”, as it sucks alien algae off the ocean floor, and then travel even deeper underwater in a high-tech manned submersible. And that’s just a start – from sand to surf, we’ll expose Hawaii like you’ve never seen it before.

Argentina makes some of the finest wines in the world, but it’s also quickly establishing itself as a technological giant in South America. The MegaWorld team will visit CONAE a civilian agency that builds and launches communication satellites for clients all over the world. We’ll get a rare, up close look at one of these huge communication devices and find out exactly what goes into manufacturing them. We’ll visit the world’s only factory that makes vintage aircraft from scratch and another firm that specializes in the manufacture and installation of artificial turf for South America’s largest football stadiums. We’ll feature the Syncrolift, a gigantic ship raising platform that can hoist a 55,000 ton ship off the ground for construction and maintenance, update the construction of new subway lines in Buenos Aires, and get up close with the world’s largest olive harvester….the Colossus.

There’s a lot more to Austria than Mozart and the Von Trapp singers. Travel to the top of the Austrian Alps to see how a ski resort protects itself from deadly avalanches, watch World Champion air racer Hannes Arch pull 12 Gs in his aircraft as he trains for the upcoming season, and witness armoured vehicles survive the most violent explosions. Other stories include the world’s most unique automobile assembly line, the largest and most powerful airport rescue vehicle, and a factory that makes the longest train rails in the world.

The Czech Republic has a long history of innovative engineering. See how they are meeting the challenges of building Europe’s longest automobile tunnel right underneath the historic city of Prague. Go behind the scenes for exclusive access to the world’s largest castle in downtown Prague. Watch European Truck Racing champion David Vršecký attempt to break the 300 km/h barrier and set a new world speed record. Other stories include a Czech company that makes the best plastic explosives, the largest earth-moving excavator in Europe, and the biggest beer spa in the world.

Denmark may be a small country, but it’s definitely big when it comes to engineering and technology. See how the Danes are harnessing the power of nature by building the largest offshore wind farms in the world. Find out how Copenhagen is experimenting with a revolutionary new underground parking technology and visit the famous LEGO toy company which produces 20 billion LEGO bricks per year or 600 pieces per second. Other stories include the Bang & Olufsen torture chamber for consumer electronics, maintaining the longest road and rail bridge in Europe, and an $850,000 super car that’s sure to turn heads.

Italy has a longstanding history of cultural achievements, but now the country’s achievements in engineering and technology are also leaving an indelible mark in the world of science. From the techniques used to perfect the sleekest sports cars on the road to a massive initiative to keep Venice above water, MegaWorld: Italy reveals the ground-breaking strides scientists, engineers, inventors and designers are making in their respective fields. Highlights include: manufacturing brakes for Formula One cars, testing 50-tonne army tanks, and the P180 Avanti II aircraft, the ‘Ferrari of the sky.’

MegaWorld: France explores that country’s cutting-edge contributions transforming science in the air, on the sea and on land. Highlights include the construction of the massive “wingbox” at the heart of the new Airbus – the largest passenger plane in the world, the French Navy’s specialized dive team, and the NH90 Eurocopter, the world’s first fly-by-wire helicopter. Also see the Ariane 5 rocket, the strongest rocket on the planet, and the Paul Ricard Race Track, where F1 drivers learn to drive to the max without killing themselves.

Travel to Barrow, England, where 3,200 steelworkers, designers, engineers, fitters, electricians and other skilled workers are constructing a nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarine. In Leicester, Rolls Royce unveils its latest creation: the ultra-luxurious Phantom Drophead Coupe. Next, find out what incredible lengths Land Rover goes to ensure that all of their vehicles live up to their off-roading image. Additional highlights include the assembly of the Eurofighter Typhoon – Europe’s fastest jetfighter – and a look at indoor skydiving.

Roar into Sweden with a look at one of the world’s fastest cars: the Koenigsegg. This U.S. $650,000 vehicle is capable of reaching speeds of 388km per hour. For more automotive marvels, “MegaWorld” heads out to top secret winter driving courses where the world’s leading car manufacturers test their prototypes. Go underground and watch as the mission control centre for the world’s largest underground mine uses joysticks to move trains, tractors and loading machines via a network of underground cameras. Then, visit the one spot on earth where Absolut Vodka is made and go inside their incredible bottle assembling line. MegaWorld takes to the air from Western Europe’s largest overland test area where the Swedish armed forces test missiles intended for enemy aircraft.