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Terminally-ill scientist with motor neurone disease ‘transforms into world’s first full cyborg’
A SCIENTIST battling motor neurone disease has spoken of his transition to the "world's first full cyborg".
Dr Peter Scott-Morgan, 61, was diagnosed with the muscle-wasting illness in 2017 - and only given until this year to live.
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An electric wheelchair enables him to lie down or sit uprightBut Peter took his terminal diagnosis as a challenge to extend his life - and is working with leading artificial intelligence pioneers to bring this about.
Scientists have now created a cutting-edge artificial intelligence system that will eventually let him use his eyes to control an avatar that speaks in his own voice.
'TRADING MY VOICE'
The same team - some who worked with Stephen Hawking - have created a Charlie 2.0 wheelchair, an advanced piece of engineering that will include a laptop and eye tracker as well as other requirements.
Other bodily functions have also been replaced - he is now fed through a tube and has a catheter and colostomy bag attached.
In his latest transformation, the pioneering patient this week underwent a laryngectomy, a complex operation to separate his oesophagus and trachea.
The procedure means he won't run any risk of swallowing and choking on his saliva - but removes his biological voicebox.
Peter has embraced his transition to a digital voice, tweeting: "This is my last post as Peter 1.0.
"Tomorrow I trade my voice for potentially decades of life as we complete the final medical procedure for my transition to Full Cyborg, the month I was told statistically I would be dead.
"I'm not dying, I'm transforming. Oh, how I love science."
I'm not dying, I'm transforming. Oh, how I love science.
Dr Peter Scott-Morgan
The Scott-Morgan Foundation, which he set up with his husband, Francis, seeks to use artificial intelligence, robotics and other high-technology systems to transform the lives of those 'restricted by age, ill-health, disability, or any other physical or mental disadvantages.
On his website, Dr Scott-Morgan said this vision is far from just a dream: "We are within touching distance of changing - everything. I'm not dying - I'm transforming.
"This is a terminal disease like you've never seen it before. And as far as I'm concerned, bring it on.
"MND hasn't even begun to bring me to my knees. And even long after I'm locked in, I will still be standing tall.
HUMAN TO 'CYBORG'
- A laryngectomy has separated Peter's oesophagus and trachea. The operation prevents the risk of him swallowing and choking on saliva, but removes his voicebox.
- Though he'll no longer be able to speak with his biological voice, he's instead banked his voice on a computer, meaning his new voice will be able to speak emotively - and in other languages if he wants.
- Scientists have also designed a face avatar, which he can use to show expressions if he loses muscle control.
- An electric wheelchair enables him to be upright, sitting or laid down.
- He is fed through a tube and has a catheter and colostomy bag attached so he doesn't need to eat or use the toilet.
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"Thanks to HiTech - I will talk again. I will convey emotion and personality. And I'll reach out and touch the people I love. And I will not be the only one.
"Over time, more and more with MND, with extreme disability, with old age, with a passion simply to break free from their physical straight-jacket, will choose to stand beside me.
"And we will all stand tall. And we will stand proud. And we will stand unbowed."
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