Joanne issues robot challenge during inspirational United Nations speech

Dr Hamadoun Touré is used to being around strong women. But even the secretary general of the UN’s International Telecommunications Union had to doff his cap to Joanne O’Riordan during his closing address at the global launch of the “Tech Needs Girls” campaign.

The Millstreet student was the keynote speaker in Manhattan and when Dr Touré admitted to being nervous when taking the stage after her inspirational speech in front of 200 guests, she reminded him of her wit: “Pressure is for tyres.”

That drew loud laughter but the student was living proof of being cool under pressure during a powerful and eloquent speech which made clear that the obstacles she has overcome during her 16 years amply prepared her for moments like these.

“Technology is the limb I never had,” she said during a talk that led to a standing ovation. “I have always been breaking down barriers and overcoming obstacles. I do not look at the word ‘impossible’ and see it as ‘impossible’. I look at that word and my life and say ‘I’m possible!’

“Technology has made me even more determined to achieve a better standard and quality of life. I always think, if I can do this now, what would I achieve in the future?”

Underlining the importance of the conference theme, she said: “I’m a fiercely independent person but when I was born the technology that was there then was not as advanced as the technology we have now. My motto in life is: no limbs, no limits.”

Calling on her fellow girls in technology to “think outside the box”, she put forward the challenge to build a robot that would improve her life.

“It sounds almost insane but as a child and even today I’ve always wanted and would love to have a robot… [it] would become my hands and legs. So for example, if I was in the sitting room and I needed something from the kitchen, I would love for that robot to get me what I needed. I mean, when you’re lazy and sitting down most of you use a remote control because you’re too lazy to get up and manually switch the TV over ... So why can’t I have a robot?”

To huge applause, she concluded: “Just because I have no limbs does not mean I will be limited. And neither should you.”