Beyond Wheelchairs: AI's 2️⃣ 0️⃣ Breakthroughs for a More Mobile Future ♿

EDITOR’S NOTE

Dear Nanobiters,

Picture this: The alarm rings, and Shibani, unable to move her legs since a childhood accident, mentally commands her AI-powered wheelchair to navigate her smart home.

It smoothly glides her to the bathroom, adjusts the sink height, and even helps her brush her teeth.

As she begins her workday, her Neuralink implant translates her thoughts into commands, effortlessly controlling her computer.

Meetings are a breeze, with real-time captioning ensuring seamless communication.

This isn't science fiction - it's the present, powered by the transformative fusion of AI and assistive technologies.

In the past, motor disabilities often confined individuals to a life of dependence and limited opportunities.

Today, however, we're witnessing a remarkable shift.

The rise of AI has unlocked new possibilities, enabling the creation of smart, intuitive assistive technologies that redefine what it means to live with a motor disability.

In this edition of Nanobits Industry Focus, we'll explore the groundbreaking ways AI is harnessed to create assistive technologies for those with locomotive impairments.

We'll explore the latest innovations in more depth, share inspiring case studies and products, and examine the potential implications of this technological revolution.

In Today’s Newsletter:

• Brain-Computer BFF: First Neuralink Recipient Uses Implant to Learn French and Finish Degree

• Strap In and Walk: Delhi Startup’s AI Suit Makes Mobility Possible Again!

• Locomotive Revolution: AI's Impact on Motor Disabilities

TOP NEWS
Neuralink User 'Thinks' His Way to Fluency in French (and Maybe a Degree!)

Noland Arbaugh, the first person to receive a Neuralink implant, shares his experience using the technology to learn French, finish his degree, and pursue creative writing. He spends hours daily at Neuralink's facilities working on various tasks and improving the user interface.

Why is it relevant?
Arbaugh’s journey with Neuralink highlights the potential of AI-assisted technologies to enhance human abilities and improve the quality of life for individuals with locomotor impairments. Neuralink's goal to create a strong link between humans and AI could revolutionize how people interact with technology, enabling greater independence and accessibility for those with disabilities. Read More

TOP NEWS
Delhi Startup's AI-Powered Exoskeleton Gives New Legs to the Disabled

GenElek Technologies, a Delhi-based startup, has developed an AI-powered exoskeleton that can help people with locomotor disabilities, such as paralysis, stroke, and spinal cord injury, to walk again. The device uses sensors and AI algorithms to adjust its functioning and provide real-time feedback to doctors.

Why is it relevant?
This innovation could significantly improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. The exoskeleton's affordability and accessibility make it a game-changer for rehabilitation and employment opportunities. The startup aims to make the device available globally, helping specially-abled individuals regain independence and confidence. Read More

NANOBITS RESEARCH
AI: The New "Limb" for the Motor Disabled

According to Grand View Research, the global personal mobility devices market was valued at $10.58 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8 percent from 2023 to 2030.

About 2.68 crore citizens out of 121 crores of India live with a disability, as per the 2011 census. However, there is growing evidence that people with disabilities comprise between 5 and 8 percent of the Indian population (around 55 – 90 million individuals).

This shows that there is a lack of proper infrastructure and resources, which has resulted in the mass exclusion of the specially-abled population. There is a dire need of innovation in this space.

In the last two editions of Nanobits Industry Focus, we covered how AI-enabled assistive technology breaks down barriers and empowers individuals with visual and cognitive impairment by providing them with tools for greater independence, improved communication, and enhanced quality of life.

Today’s newsletter will focus on Locomotor Disability. In future editions of Nanobits Industry Focus, we'll explore other types of disabilities and the innovative technologies emerging in those areas.

Top Tech Companies Pioneering the AI Revolution in Assistive Technologies for Combating Locomotor Impairment:

1. Control Bionics develops assistive technology to help people with complex communication and physical needs. It uses a blend of AI learning and EMG, which is used to detect and amplify even the faintest of muscle signals, turning them into commands that allow users to control computers, smartphones, and other assistive technology with ease.

2. Handwriting Transformers (HWT): Developed by researchers at MBZUAI in Abu Dhabi, HWT is an AI tool specifically designed to replicate an individual's handwriting style. It can potentially assist individuals who have lost the ability to write with a pen.

3. NJIT Researchers have developed a new AI-powered method to train robotic exoskeletons to assist users in walking, running, and climbing stairs, reducing energy expenditure by up to 24.3%. This breakthrough can potentially aid individuals with mobility challenges, including the elderly and stroke survivors.

4. Smart garments-based assistive technology like "NeuroSkin" trousers stimulate patients' legs via electrodes controlled by AI — an advance that could help people with a range of mobility difficulties.

AssisTech Foundation (ATF), a Bengaluru-based non-profit co-founded by Prateek Madhav, is India’s first assistive technology-focused organization that promotes innovative disability technology start-ups. The following start-ups are part of ATF’s Assistive Technology Accelerator Program:

1. Another start-up, Sociodent, has developed a novel assistive oral care device: a mouthpiece designed to help those with extreme disabilities or elderly individuals who cannot brush their teeth independently.

2. Robo Bionics has developed a 3D-printed prosthetic hand designed for people with below-elbow amputations. Their made-in-India product is lightweight and affordable. It features a sense of touch and multi-grip control, offering enhanced functionality and a more natural user experience.

Other notable innovations from the Indian ecosystem are:

1. myUDAAN is the industry's first on-demand indoor and outdoor wheelchair mobility assistant.

2. Piltover Technologies' first product is a low-cost prosthetic hand for people with disabilities. Piltover Technologies is also developing other limbs, including electronic and bionic limbs.

3. Aether Biomedical, founded by Dhruv Agrawal and Dr. Faith Jiwakhan, develops multi-articulating bionic limbs, notably the Zeus hand, to enhance the lives of people with disabilities, including those affected by war.

4. Arcatron claims to be the first in India to launch a beta bathroom wheelchair and offers four products in its travel wheelchair category.

5. Bionic Yantra is a company that makes robotic exoskeletons and mobile robots to help people with paralysis walk and stand. Their products are designed to be fall-safe and can be used for various conditions, including spinal cord injuries and strokes.

What’s Big Tech Doing in the Assistive Technologies space?

1. Integrated into Microsoft 365’s core apps, Copilot supports assistive technologies such as voice input, providing a seamless user experience. For example, it helps disabled users by quickly drafting emails and creating PowerPoint presentations via voice commands.

2. Apple's Voice Control is a groundbreaking accessibility feature that empowers users with motor impairments to operate their Apple devices entirely by using their voice. Going beyond typical voice assistants, it offers in-depth control over the device's operating system and apps, enhancing accessibility and independence for those with limited physical abilities.

3. Apple's Switch Control is a powerful accessibility feature designed to enhance the user experience for individuals with motor impairments or limited dexterity. It enables users to control their Apple devices using external adaptive switches, providing an alternative method of interaction and promoting greater independence and accessibility.

4. Last year, Google announced its AI-powered gaming mouse, Project Gameface, that enables users to control a computer’s cursor using their head movement and facial gestures.

Assistive Technology for Office and Home Uses:

1. Virtual assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Google Voice Access: People with reduced mobility can use their smartphones with voice commands. Google Voice Access was specially created for people with reduced dexterity.

2. IFTTT: an app that connects other apps so that the user with poor dexterity can use all his smartphone’s functionalities without struggling. It creates combinations with the apps to automatically perform tasks such as reading an email aloud and sending a tweet.

3. Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a speech-to-text program that lets you use your voice to control your computer. It is primarily used by people with difficulty typing due to physical, cognitive, or other challenges.

4. An adaptive keyboard would have raised areas between keys, making it easier for someone with motor impairments to find and press keys.

Challenges in the Assistive Technology Innovation Ecosystem:

Capital Challenges:

• Limited Public Infrastructure and Funding: The lack of robust public support and investment hinders the development and adoption of assistive technologies.

• Difficulty Accessing Capital: Startups in this sector face challenges in convincing investors of their business models' market viability and scalability.

• Low Investment Confidence: Investors often express concerns about assistive technology ventures' profitability and growth potential due to factors such as lack of awareness, perceived risks, and social stigma.

• Limited Funding Landscape: Most startups in this space have received little to no funding, highlighting the need for increased investment to fuel innovation and growth.

Government Challenges:

While the Indian government has taken positive steps to support people with disabilities (PwDs) through initiatives like the Sambhav scheme and accessibility guidelines for public infrastructure, several challenges persist:

• Data Gaps: The decision to shelve crucial socio-economic data collected through the Unique Disability ID hinders effective policy-making and understanding of PwDs' needs.

• Accessibility Issues: Procuring inaccessible standard-floor buses under the PM eBus Sewa scheme highlights a lack of consistent implementation of accessibility standards.

• Awareness and Outreach: The government needs to increase its efforts to raise awareness and promote the adoption of assistive technologies and schemes like Sambhav.

Future of AI for Locomotor Disabilities

The future lies in continuous innovation and collaboration.

Startups must remain agile, incorporating user feedback to refine their solutions and accelerate growth.

Partnerships between established companies and startups, like Hyundai's Samarth initiative or WHILL's collaboration with eBikeGo, demonstrate the increasing recognition of the importance of assistive technology.

As awareness grows and more stakeholders join the ecosystem, AI-powered assistive technology has the potential to revolutionize the lives of people with disabilities, creating a more inclusive and accessible world for all.

Here's a glimpse into what's on the horizon:

• Advanced Exoskeletons: AI algorithms will continue to enhance the functionality of exoskeletons, allowing for more natural and intuitive movements. These advancements will enable individuals to navigate diverse terrains, perform complex tasks, and regain unprecedented levels of independence.

• AI-Driven Wheelchairs: AI will empower wheelchairs with enhanced navigation capabilities, obstacle avoidance, and personalized user interfaces, ensuring seamless movement and adaptability in various environments. This technology will further break down barriers and provide greater autonomy for wheelchair users.

• Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs): The integration of BCIs with assistive technologies will enable direct communication between the brain and external devices, potentially restoring movement and control for individuals with severe paralysis. AI algorithms will play a crucial role in decoding neural signals and translating them into precise actions, opening new possibilities for rehabilitation and mobility.

By pushing the boundaries of what's possible, AI will empower individuals with locomotor impairments to live fuller, more independent lives while also contributing to a more inclusive and accessible society for all.