DOHA - How do chameleons change their colour? What does a fly see? How far can a squid squirt water? The best place to find out how real animals work will be at the "Robot Zoo", on display at Doha Corniche, next to Belhambar Restaurant, from today.
The award-winning world mobile exhibition is travelling for the first time in the Middle East. The 20 week-long robot exhibitions will be marked by world-class animatronics and interactive activities. The event will offer an opportunity for the children and families in Qatar to enjoy learning how real animals work.
Visitors can interact with three-dimensional, computer-aided design rhino model in a Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) environment. Other hands-on activities include triggering a "tongue gun" to catch insects for the chameleon; hanging like a bat from an overhead bar; and viewing the world as a chameleon does.
The huge chameleon is the major attraction of the exhibition. The robot can blend in or stand out. The robot chameleon has the ability to blend into its surroundings. Its mini computer brain sends a signal to the video screen to change. When it meets another chameleon its colours shine bright as warning.
Children can help the chameleon catch a meal. What they have to do is to move the joystick and aim the robot's head at an insect.
House Fly, Grass hopper, Grant Squid, Giraffe and a large heavy Rhino are among other attractions in the exhibitions.
"Launched in 1996, this is the second leg of our world tour and the first in the Middle East", said Jemmy Geek, the event coordinator.
"We run three shows in a year. In the first leg we, covered the US, Canada and Mexico. We will cover China, Australia, Singapore and Thailand in the next phase", he said.
Al Jazeera Children's Channel, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development and Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) are joint hosting the event.
"All schools in Qatar have been invited to tour the 5,000 square-foot exhibition. Visiting students will have the opportunity ton explore the magic of nature as a master engineer", said Malika Alouane, Director of Marketing and Communications at Al Jazeera Children's Channel.
The exhibition is open weekdays from 8am to 8pm for school groups and general public, and on Friday from 2pm to 8pm for the public. Tickets are priced at QR5 per person. However, it will be free for school students on the opening day.
The money generated from ticket sales, will be donated to a specialized children's care centre in Qatar. School groups can reserve their tickets on 6681988.
© The Peninsula 2008
