This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. TED Fellow Cesar Harada draws people, innovation and technology together in creating “Protei”- versatile, shape-shifting sailing robots designed to monitor and clean Earth’s oceans.

Inventor/Environmentalist
Humans have made their mark on the Earth so broadly and completely that there are few places today that do not bear the mark of humanity. Nowhere is this human mark more pervasive than in the oceans. Into Earth’s largest and most diverse ecosystem humans have spilled oil, scattered plastic and other garbage, and leaked radiation, ceaselessly polluting the waters of this planet. It is easy to lose hope. Cesar Harada, however, chooses to look forward.

Pulling inspiration from his own incredible and eclectic life experiences as well as CEO of Protei, Unreasonable at Sea Fellow, TED Fellow and Project Leader at MIT, Cesar has invented Protei, a versatile, shape-shifting sailing robot designed to clean our oceans. Building on a professional life spent searching out ways heal an Earth teetering on the edge of survival, Cesar’s goals are clear: to bring people, technology and innovation together to work toward all of our tomorrows.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)