In the second episode of CNN’s new series ‘Tech For Good’, anchor and correspondent Kristie Lu Stout meets five inspiring people from across the globe who are using technology to beat the odds and excel in everything from sport, to cultural preservation, to gaming.
CNN first speaks with South African surfer and swimmer Caleb Swanepoel, who was back in the water just three weeks after losing his leg in a shark attack, with the help of a state-of-the-art prosthetic limb. Designed by German company Ottobock, the prosthetic is computerized and uses sensors to mimic a natural gait – allowing Swanepoel to continue doing what he loves most, and even compete in international championships.
Wearable technology is helping British ultramarathoner Simon Wheatcroft stay on track. Faced with the challenges of mobility that came with losing his eyesight as a teenager, Wheatcroft helped to develop technology that could enable him to run without a guide. Stout learns how he uses the Wayband, a watch-like haptic device by WearWorks which sends pulses to his wrists whenever he veers off-course. He hopes the technology will enable a new level of independence for the visually-impaired community.
Archaeologist Solsiré Cusicanqui uses technology to conduct drone surveys and 3D modelling to unearth the secrets of a pre-Hispanic civilization that prospered in the Andes Mountains in Peru. She explains to CNN how such discoveries have helped instill a sense of identity and pride in the local communities of Peru’s northern highlands, and shares how technology has empowered her as a female archaeologist.
Stout then meets Adonian Chan, a graphic and type designer with an ambition to preserve an endangered calligraphy style native to his hometown of Hong Kong. Chan is using software called Glyphs to digitize the style – called Beiwei Kaishu – into a contemporary typeface which could eventually be installed on phones and computers. He says the technology allows him to adapt this ancient writing style to the needs of modern society, preventing its extinction.
Finally, ‘Tech for Good’ catches up with Ryan Hart – also known as ‘Robotnik’ – a professional video gamer from the UK. Hart reveals that he found a community in arcades after becoming homeless when he was 18, and that he turned to competitive gaming as a form of creative expression. He has since won hundreds of events around the world, and is now considered one of Europe’s best players.
Airtimes for 30-minute special,
Saturday, August 29 at 1:00pm and 6:00pm HKT
Sunday, August 30 at 10:00am HKT
Monday, August 31 at 12:00am HKT
