TechKnow 132: Keeping a voice with ALS & heartbeat finder for disasters

April 12, 2014 3:00PM ET

Voice message banking for ALS patients, a heartbeat finder for first responders, and threatened oyster populations.

Topics:
Science
Technology
Health

Join “TechKnow” contributors Phil Torres, Shini Somara, Lindsay Moran and Rachelle Oldmixon as they explore scientific innovations and their impact on our lives. Shini reports on "voice banking" software for people with ALS who will be unable to speak without a computer. Lindsay tests out satellite tech used to find survivors in disaster zones. And Rachelle explores threats to oysters.

 

More on voice banking, heartbeat finders, and oysters

FINDER

FINDER (Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response) is a device developed by NASA and the Department of Homeland Security that uses radar technology to locate human heartbeats buried or trapped after major disasters. The device beams microwave signals to locate and track heartbeats and breaths in up to 20 feet of solid concrete or 30 feet of rubble and debris. 

Find Al Jazeera America on your TV