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A wheelchair that learns

The wheelchair that uses AI for a smoother experience and how clothing can help communicate feelings.

Powered chairs offer people with limited mobility the chance to be independent, since they can be controlled with an array of switches and pads. For some people though, unpredictable muscle spasms mean that driving can be time-consuming, stressful or dangerous. We try out a new device from Belgium that uses artificial intelligence to quickly learn a user’s profile, filtering out unintentional movements to provide a smooth experience, meaning more people than ever can steer their chairs and live more comfortably. And we find out how clothing can help autistic people communicate their feelings more easily.

People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd love you to let us know what you think and to hear about your own solutions. You can contact us on WhatsApp by messaging +44 8000 321721 or email [email protected]. And please leave us a review on your chosen podcast provider.

Presenter: Myra Anubi
Producer/reporter: William Kremer
Reporter: Ben Morris
Editor: Jon Bithrey

(Image: Levi Rijsbrack and Ben Morris, William Kremer/BBC)

Available now

23 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Tue 12 Nov 202408:06GMT
  • Tue 12 Nov 202415:06GMT
  • Tue 12 Nov 202418:06GMT
  • Tue 12 Nov 202423:06GMT
  • Sat 16 Nov 202423:06GMT
  • Sun 17 Nov 202410:06GMT
  • Mon 18 Nov 202403:06GMT

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