Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: teenage prodigy dabbles in robotics, teaches technology and fights for a sustainable future

Amaanat Rekhi’s path to becoming an innovator started when she saw a robot called Geminoid F singing at a Hong Kong shopping centre as a child, igniting a passion that led to her interviewing technology leaders and deciding to embark on her own journey.

The 16-year-old is now setting her sights on developing a solar-powered robot that can collect waste from public areas, such as beaches.

She has taken also on an internship with Hanson Robotics, a technology company internationally renowned for developing humanlike robots.

Iain Williamson, head of film, media and digital literacy coordinator for South Island School, said that he had taught many outstanding students, but described Rekhi as unique in her desire to emulate the institution’s motto of “making a difference”.

“I do not think that I have ever overseen a student with such drive and work ethic before,” Williamson wrote in his letter nominating Rekhi for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2023, under the category of Spirit of Youth.

The student has gone on to become a finalist in the annual event co-organised by the South China Morning Post and property developer Sino Group that honours the achievements of remarkable individuals whose endeavours might otherwise go unnoticed.