How does hawking computer work

The neurodegenerative disease slowly puts the nerves that work to trigger voluntary muscle movement out of working order. When that happens, the muscles begin to atrophy from a lack of use and eventually stop working altogether. Even involuntary movements like breathing cease. In the s, Hawking's condition worsened and he started slurring his words due to his lack of muscle control; he completely lost speech capabilities after a surgery in , according to Biography.

At first, Hawking relied on a hand-held clicker for help choosing his words, which were then synthesized to speech. When he lost the use of his hands, Hawking needed an alternative to a clicker and that's when he switched to the use of a system that detects face movement.

But the genius went on to live till he turned 76 and passed away in March A person which such rare degenerative disease went on to do phenomenal work in physics on Black holes and became one of the world-renowned scientists of all times. He was the best selling author of his time. Now, one wonders how did a wheelchair-ridden man who could barely move his muscles get around to giving lectures and writing books?

Here comes the intervention of Intel that has helped the genius with a speech-generating device for communication. Hawking used an infrared switch mounted on his spectacles which can be moved by twitches in his cheek. His experiences illustrated the following:.

Search Menu. Date Updated :. Background Dr. Solution Dr. Conclusions Dr. His experiences illustrated the following: People can acquire a disability status at any age, from birth to advanced years.

Accommodations change over time for those with degenerative conditions. Assistive technology can compensate for limitations relative to mobility and speech.