DXC Technology and Lenovo announced a collaboration with visionary robotics scientist Dr. Peter Scott-Morgan and his philanthropic foundation to develop ambitious assistive technology solutions by integrating the latest hardware, software, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to empower people with disabilities, illnesses, and other challenging conditions.
Scott-Morgan, known as the “world’s first human cyborg”, is pushing technology to extend and enrich lives. He was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) – also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – in 2017. When the first symptoms emerged, Scott-Morgan began exploring ways to upend the typical disease progression through his belief in the limitless potential of technology. Scott-Morgan’s vision is to: “Make the vulnerable safe, the powerless strong, the unfulfilled thrive.”
“The bedrock of our collaboration is a belief in the untapped potential of technology to unleash your dreams - whatever you are, whatever your background, whatever your circumstances, whatever your ambitions,” Scott-Morgan said. Initially told by doctors he had only two years to live, Scott-Morgan has a mantra: “Add hope with AI and Robotics!”
DXC and Lenovo – alongside a team of volunteers and leading technologists – will provide hardware, software support, integration, and artificial intelligence expertise. Key initiatives include:
- Developing autonomous, self-driving wheelchairs to navigate homes and beyond;
- Preserving personality with an avatar that renders quickly in photo-realistic detail;
- Leveraging augmented reality (AR) as a user interface controlled with only eye movements;
- Accelerating the generation and customization of emotionally expressive digital voices; and
- Embedding smart technology throughout a family home to enhance the life of all its occupants.
In addition to developing custom solutions, Lenovo has donated computing equipment for Scott-Morgan’s home-office. Calvin Crosslin, Lenovo’s Chief Diversity Officer and President of the Lenovo Foundation said: “We have a responsibility to make powerful technology as accessible as possible and create new opportunities. This is precisely why we rally behind the idea of smarter technology for all, and I am grateful to Dr. Scott-Morgan for inviting us to collaborate and share some small part of his extraordinary vision.”
DXC will act as technology integrator. Deploying capabilities from the Enterprise Technology Stack, DXC will bring technology know-how and experience to ensure seamless and secure integration across infrastructure, applications, analytics, and engineering solutions.
“Peter is an astonishing inspiration,” said Steve Turpie, President, EMEA at DXC. “The DXC team will offer consulting and support to define requirements, the target architecture, and the technology roadmap. Specifically, they will enable the functions for eye tracking, virtual keyboards, speech, and avatar performance. Peter, with the Foundation, has a tireless passion to challenge our thinking on how technology can be used to enhance people’s lives and society.”
Learn more about Dr. Peter Scott-Morgan, including his background, ongoing research, and opportunities to get involved through The Scott-Morgan Foundation.
“I applied a lifetime of research to rewrite my own future - an extraordinarily lucky break! But far more important, we’ve now the chance to rewrite the future for millions - eventually billions - by applying the lessons learned to make the vulnerable safe, the powerless strong, the unfulfilled thrive. I wanted a way to break free of my suddenly inadequate body, to overcome a devastating diagnosis and reimagine what ‘terminal disease’ could mean. But we can help everyone who feels disadvantaged. They can rise like a phoenix! With extraordinary support from my husband Francis, countless kind and brilliant collaborators, and technology leaders like DXC and Lenovo, I find the once-dark future incredibly bright.”
