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Bolivia's Teenage Tech 'Genius' Turns Rubbish Into Robots
The 17-year-old Esteban Quispe has been labelled ''the genius'' by locals in his town of Patcayma, some 62 miles (100 kms) from La Paz, because of his natural talent for making robots from e-waste. Esteban wants to work for NASA one day and develop his own robots for space exploration.
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Esteban Quispe made his robot Wall-E from discarded e-waste at his local dump.
Photo:teleSUR/Dimitri O'Donnell
Wall-E is back in one piece at the dump in Patacayma where Esteban found the materials to make the robot.
Esteban Quispe says dumping e-waste with regular household waste is bad for the environment.
Esteban and his 14-year-old brother Hernan proudly pose with their robot Wall-E.
The Quispe brothers say they no longer use the dump to find materials as it is a health hazard.
Esteban and Hernan say most people in Bolivia are unaware about the dangers of burning e-waste.
Esteban's Wall-E was made from old bicycle parts, discarded cell phone screens and christmas lights.
Bolivia's teen inventor wants to work for NASA and create his own robots to send into space.
People donate parts to Esteban so he make his new robots without having to go to the dump.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
E-waste from the rubbish dump is stored in Esteban's workshop at the family home.
Esteban and Hernan are busy inventing new robots together in their workshop.
Esteban and his father made these toy cars from discarded rubbish when he was a young boy.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Esteban Quispe says he ''wants to change the world'' with his creations.
Esteban credits his father Martin with sparking his interest in electronics when he was a young boy.
14 year old Hernan is also keen to follow his brother into the world of technology.
Esteban's Wall-E is a regular sight on the streets of the Bolivian town of Patacayma.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Esteban Quispe is destined for a bright future in technology after he completes his scholarship in La Paz.
