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 peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk. 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)
People fixing.
People Fixing the World.
Welcome to People Fixing the World from the BBC World Service with me, Mayra Anubi.
People today are surrounded by so many challenges.
But on this program, you and I go on a mission to find out about clever ideas making our world a better place.
Now, today we'll hear about wheelchairs that can learn from their users and then find out about an overwhelmed owl and a happy frog that are getting people to communicate about their feelings.
Now, to understand our first solution, today I'm going to tell you about a bit of history you've probably never heard of.
Stefan Pfaffler, but in his time he was certainly a person who helped fix the world.
He was a German watchmaker who as a result of a childhood accident, could not use his legs.
But in 1655 he designed a machine to help him get around called the mechanical tricycle.
It was in effect the world's first wheelchair that users could move by themselves.
Now, since then, there have been many more wheelchairs and designs.
The World Health Organization estimates that there are likely 80 million people around the world who need wheelchairs to go about their day to day lives.
Now, our reporter today, Ben Morris, who's in his wheelchair, is here to give us a true picture of what this means.
Hi, Ben.
Hello.
Yeah, so I have a condition called spinal muscular atrophy, which basically means that the messages from my brain don't get to my muscles properly so I can move everything, just not enough to do anything with.
So I'm in an electric wheelchair.
I go everywhere in it, can't live without it.
I use it to use devices like my computer, my mobile phone, my tv.