‘fast Forward’ Back On Screen (Press, 4 November 1988)

On 4 November 1988, the television programme "Fast Forward" premiered its new season by exploring innovative technologies, particularly at the N.A.S.A. Ames Research Centre in California. The episode featured scientists developing a helmet-mounted display aimed at enhancing the experience of flight simulators. This technology has the potential to allow users to virtually navigate remote environments without physical presence, paving the way for applications such as robot remote control and telesurgery. This latter concept involves robots being able to perform surgical procedures on astronauts in space while mimicking a surgeon's hand movements on Earth. The insights shared in the episode were sourced during "Fast Forward's" three-week tour across Canada and the United States earlier in the year. Additionally, the programme provided an update on the story of Eve van Grafhorst, a young Australian girl whose story captured the attention of New Zealanders in 1986. Born prematurely and exposed to the A.I.D.S. virus through a contaminated blood transfusion, Eve and her family faced significant societal backlash. Their community reacted fearfully, leading to Eve's exclusion from kindergarten and limited play opportunities. Despite her parents' efforts to communicate that she posed no risk, the family's situation became untenable, prompting their relocation to New Zealand. "Fast Forward" revisited the van Grafhorst family to assess their well-being after their move. The episode also showcased the Great Barrier Reef, renowned as one of the world’s natural wonders and the largest living structure visible from space. It is home to a vast array of biodiversity, comprising nearly 10,000 species of plant and animal life, making it a complex and productive ecosystem. The challenges inherent in recreating such an ecosystem on land or offshore were highlighted. In this context, an aquarium in Townsville, Australia, was featured for its efforts to emulate the reef's extraordinary habitat while maintaining a balance of care for its varied inhabitants. Lastly, the episode introduced the Logwalker, an innovative machine designed to transport logs from small, isolated wood-lots in a cost-efficient manner. Unlike conventional machinery, this unique design features large "feet" instead of wheels or tracks, allowing it to achieve traction in a novel way. Collectively, the stories presented in this episode of "Fast Forward" captured advances in technology alongside personal narratives of resilience and environmental stewardship.

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