James May
Self - Presenter
Series
Watch James May's Big Ideas (2008) Online
No video is available for James May's Big Ideas - S1E1 yet. Check back soon.
Synopsis
James May's Big Ideas is a three-part British television miniseries in which James May, a journalist and self-acknowledged geek travels the globe in search of implementations for concepts widely considered science fiction, or his big ideas. The series is produced by the BBC and the Open University and began airing at 8pm on Sundays on 28 September 2008. The first episode documents his search for the ultimate form of personal transport, ranging from jetpacks to flying cars. In the second episode, May looks at bionics and robotics and if robots can exceed the boundaries of their programming. The third episode focuses on energy.
Episodes
Season 1
PreviousNext
1. Come Fly with MeNow viewing2008-09-281hIn the first of a new series James May travels the globe in search of his ultimate flying machine. He begins by heading into the frozen wastes of Russia to pilot one of the best kept secrets of the Cold War. He then heads to the US to fly the world's only surviving flying car.
In Japan he watches a man struggle with his tiny chopper, before returning to the suburban gardens of Sussex where James turns himself into a human rocket - all in pursuit of finding a better way to get from A to B.
Finally, in California, James encounters his ultimate dream - a flying car capable of vertical take off, and one so simple that anyone can pilot it, but is the world ready for a flying car?
2. Man Machine2008-10-051hAs a child, James May dreamed of a world populated by humanoid robots. Robots which would tidy his room and do the washing up. In the second programme of his Big Ideas series, he sets off to discover how close his vision of a robot-world is to becoming a reality and in doing so enters an intriguing, mysterious and often rather strange world.
In Japan, James meets the closest thing to Robocop. It’s a woman who can double her strength thanks to an extraordinary electro-mechanical jumpsuit, but what will this bizarre mix of human intelligence and machine brawn be used for?
He also has a close encounter of the weird kind with the most disturbing robot he has ever seen – a robot designed to look and behave exactly like its creator.
Continuing his travels James heads to the US, to explore the possibilities of bionic implants and talks to the doctor who is making them a reality, and in doing so has created a real 2 million dollar bionic woman.
And finally, in the unlikeliest of laboratories he encounters the world’s most advanced walking robot: Asimo – it can tackle stairs and has even mastered running, however when faced with a closed door, the robot proves he isn’t all that smart. Cue Asimo’s twin brother, who has learnt to recognise everyday objects. But will he amaze James when asked to identify a Mini car? And is this all enough to restore James’s vision of a robot filled future world?
3. Power to the People2008-10-121hIn the last of his Big Ideas journeys, James May sets off to find smarter, brighter and bolder ways of powering the planet for future generations.
James begins his journey by looking at the energy produced by the sun. In a unique experiment, he tries a solar-powered car. It might have raced thousands of miles across the Australian desert - but just how far will a solar car travel in Guildford at night?
In Seville, James visits the world’s first solar power station. This extraordinary cathedral of lights towers over the Spanish countryside, but for all its high tech glory, James discovers a curiously low tech Achilles’ heel.
Continuing his journey to the US, James encounters a group of dedicated aerospace engineers who are planning to make a lift that will reach 20,000 miles into the skies. Their idea is to build a power station in space. James watches enthralled as they take their first tentative steps towards their goal - and a crack at a $2million [£1million] prize.
While in Holland, James meets the first Dutchman who once travelled into space. This man has now put away his rockets and spacesuit, swapping them instead for kites in an attempt to harvest the powerful winds of a high-altitude jetstream.
And finally, James heads off into the deserts of New Mexico to seek out some modern-day alchemists. This group of scientists are hoping to conjure petrol out of thin air, with the help of only a few mirrors.
Cast
Top Billed Cast
Availability
Where To Watch Legally
No legal streaming, rental or purchase options for James May's Big Ideas were reported for this region.
Recommended
More Like This
SeriesMegaStructures
7.52004
SeriesTop Gear
8.01978
SeriesHow Do They Do It?
7.52006
SeriesEarth at Night in Colour
8.22020
SeriesNOVA
7.01974
SeriesBiography
6.71987
SeriesThe World According to Jeff Goldblum
6.62019
SeriesNatural World
7.41983
SeriesHorizon
7.41964
SeriesThrough the Wormhole
7.72010
SeriesLong Way Up
7.52020
SeriesMysteries at the Museum
8.82010
SeriesThe Reluctant Traveller with Eugene Levy
7.42023
SeriesDown to Earth with Zac Efron
7.62020
SeriesDisney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian
7.42020
SeriesMarvel Studios Legends
7.42021
SeriesGrand Designs
7.11999
SeriesPrehistoric Planet
8.32022
Series30 for 30
7.52009
SeriesNature
7.91982
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is James May's Big Ideas available to watch online?
Vidbox does not currently have a legal streaming, rental or purchase option on record for James May's Big Ideas in this region.
How many seasons does James May's Big Ideas have?
James May's Big Ideas has 1 season and 3 episodes.
When did James May's Big Ideas first air?
James May's Big Ideas first aired in 2008.
Is James May's Big Ideas still running?
James May's Big Ideas's status on TMDB is: Ended.
What genre is James May's Big Ideas?
James May's Big Ideas is classified as Documentary.