An Exciting Future for Neurological Patients

Dr. Paul Wright is Senior Vice President and System Chair for the Neuroscience Institute at Nuvance Health. Dr. Wright has a passion for improved patient care. I have a passion for technology. We share a passion for innovation in healthcare and believe it can make the world better. We both like to brainstorm. The following blog post is the culmination of numerous discussions and collaborations with Dr. Wright.

Since meeting Dr. John Patrick, we have shared a strong bond over a simple yet profound concept: leveraging innovation to improve healthcare and promote well-being. Our conversations often revolve around emerging technologies and how they can be meaningfully integrated into patient care to enhance outcomes. It was a tremendous honor to receive the prestigious John and Joanne Patrick Endowed Chair for Advanced Technology in Neuroscience, a recognition which deepened our shared mission. Inspired by these ongoing discussions, we felt collaborating occasionally on a blog post would be an exciting way to explore new ideas, spark meaningful conversations, and contribute to the evolving landscape of healthcare innovation.

A Fun and Exciting Future for Neurological Patients

At a recent glitzy event in California, Elon Musk unveiled his vision of an “age of abundance” filled with futuristic robotaxis that promise to transform the way we think about travel. He painted a picture of a world without steering wheels, where parking lots become parks and robots blend seamlessly into our daily lives. This vision, backed by the launch of Tesla’s new robotaxi and Robovan designs, could be a game-changer for those living with neurological conditions who are unable to drive.

For patients with epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS, or those recovering from strokes, Musk’s vision is more than just a sci-fi dream, it is a beacon of hope. These autonomous vehicles could unlock a level of freedom and mobility that many people with these conditions have never experienced, making the world more accessible and interconnected.

Epilepsy Patients: From Dreams to Reality

Self-driving taxis are especially promising for people with epilepsy, who often face restrictions on driving due to the risk of seizures. Musk’s robotaxis could finally turn dreams into reality, allowing epilepsy patients to move freely, go to work, and engage in social activities without the constant worry of being dependent on others. The idea of sitting in a “comfortable little lounge,” as Musk described, while the car autonomously takes you to your destination sounds like a revolution in both convenience and safety.

More Than Just Epilepsy: Broadening the Impact

Musk’s ambitious plans also hold transformative potential for people with other neurological conditions:

Parkinson’s Disease: With its progressive symptoms like tremors and muscle rigidity, Parkinson’s often takes away the ability to drive. Self-driving taxis could mean that patients can continue to live independently and access their healthcare providers, social activities, and daily needs without risking their safety.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): As MS affects motor function and vision, it makes driving increasingly difficult and unsafe. Autonomous vehicles could empower MS patients by giving them a reliable means of transportation that adapts to their changing needs.
ALS: For those battling ALS, whose mobility becomes progressively limited, Musk’s vision of driverless vehicles that operate without a steering wheel or pedals is like opening a door to freedom. It is an opportunity for these individuals to remain engaged in society, accessing healthcare, social interactions, and essential services without barriers.
Stroke Survivors: Stroke often leaves patients with long-term cognitive or physical impairments that make driving impossible. Self-driving robotaxis could serve as a critical link to rehabilitation centers, medical follow-ups, and social engagements, helping stroke survivors on their road to recovery.

Musk’s Sci-Fi Vision: Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Reality

Musk’s presentation was filled with references to a sleek, metallic future reminiscent of classic sci-fi films like “Blade Runner,” but with a cheerier twist. He unveiled models of the robotaxi and the Robovan, designed to carry up to 20 passengers, capturing a sense of what autonomous mobility could look like in the not-so-distant future.

However, Musk himself admitted to being “a little optimistic with time frames,” acknowledging his past misjudgments about how quickly these innovations would be available. While Tesla has made incredible strides with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature, which is already operational in many vehicles, regulatory hurdles, and the challenge of achieving true autonomy still lie ahead.

The Road Ahead: Navigating Challenges and Realizing the Dream

While the future Musk described is undoubtedly thrilling, there are still practical and technological challenges to overcome:

Regulatory Approvals: Achieving fully autonomous driving requires not just technological advances but also regulatory green lights in states like California and Texas. The timeline for these approvals remains uncertain, even though Musk believes they are within reach by next year.
Safety and Reliability: For people with neurological conditions, safety is paramount. Current autonomous driving systems, like Tesla’s FSD, still require a driver to be alert and ready to take over. Progressing to a stage where the car can operate without any human intervention remains a difficult but crucial goal.

Despite these hurdles, the potential impact on patients with neurological conditions cannot be overstated. As autonomous technology continues to advance, it promises to reshape the lives of those who have been limited by their conditions, offering them a new level of independence and participation in everyday activities.

A Journey Toward an Inclusive Future

Even as Tesla works to catch up to competitors like Google’s Waymo and Amazon’s autonomous vehicles, which are already operational in some areas, the vision of self-driving robotaxis remains a powerful symbol of hope for many. For people with neurological conditions, the idea that a car could safely transport them wherever they need to go, without limitations, is more than just a convenience—it is a profound shift in what it means to live with these conditions.

Elon Musk’s bold promises may be a mix of ambition and optimism, but the dream he is selling—a future where people with epilepsy, Parkinson’s, MS, ALS, and stroke can reclaim their mobility—resonates deeply. It is a vision where technology breaks down barriers, turns parking lots into parks, and transforms isolation into connection. For those whose lives have been shaped by neurological conditions, the age of self-driving taxis could indeed be the dawn of a fun, exciting, and boundless future.

Note: Dr. Wright and I use chatGPT, Gemini, and other AI tools as research assistants. AI can boost productivity for anyone who creates content. Sometimes I get incorrect data from AI, and when something looks suspicious, I dig deeper. Sometimes the data varies by sources where AI finds it. I take responsibility for my posts and if anyone spots an error, I will appreciate knowing it, and will correct it.

Voice

I continue to learn about this feature. You can click the “Listen to Post” at the top of the post. I changed the voice to an American female. The accent is much better. The listen option does not work in the email version of my posts. It only works on the web page. I will continue to experiment with this technology. I am also making some changes which will make it easier to read my posts on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Feedback is always welcomed. Click [email protected].

Photos of the week

Last Thursday we were a sponsor and attended the Housatonic Habitat for Humanity Gala. The event was held at Silver Spring Country Club in Ridgefield, CT. The event sold out and had almost 200 attendees. The live auction raised $150,000. Go Habitat!

Customer service of the week

On thursday I lost my Internet service. Comcast has a “smart” texting base chatbot. I texted, “No Internet”.

The bot replied, “Let’s try troubleshooting your connection. We can check for outages and run some tests on your home network. Click here to visit the website.”

I texted back, “But I have no Internet”. The bot replied, “Let’s try troubleshooting your connection. We can check for outages and run some tests on your home network. Click here to visit the website’.

AI has a lot of potential. Comcast has a very long way to go.

iPhone 16

Still lovin’ the 16 Pro Max. The new camera control button takes some getting used to but is a great add. Looking forward to the Apple Intelligence which is rumored to drop this month.

Startup of the quarter

I invested in Voatz in 2021 and was a pro bono adviser from time to time in the early days before that. Voatz reflects what I wrote about in Election Attitude – How Internet Voting Leads to a Stronger Democracy.

Voatz has announced the successful completion of historic elections in Mexico. Not only was this arguably the most advanced online election ever conducted anywhere, it also created a unique piece of history with Mexico electing its first woman president. It was also Voatz’s first million-dollar election contract. Voatz now holds the unique distinction of pioneering blockchain-backed digital voting for public elections in all three major countries of North America.

Voatz also announced a new win in the State of Wisconsin with an expected revenue of $250k over 5 years. Nearly 60k new voters will become eligible to use the Voatz system for the first time starting this November.

The US Commercial Service (a part of the Dept. of Commerce) has selected Voatz for the official USA Pavilion at the 2024 Africa Tech Festival. This partnership may help provide a boost to its international expansion efforts and add credibility for larger procurement opportunities.

What’s new in AI this week

The AI landscape is evolving rapidly, with new advancements and applications emerging every week. Here are some of the notable developments in AI this week:

Generative AI:

Meta AI’s new text-to-image model: Meta has introduced a new text-to-image model that can generate high-quality images from text prompts. The model is said to be more capable than previous models in terms of image fidelity and diversity.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT enhancements: OpenAI has continued to refine and improve its ChatGPT language model, making it more capable of generating human-quality text and engaging in complex conversations.

Machine Learning:

Google’s new AI-powered search feature: Google has announced a new AI-powered search feature that can provide more comprehensive and informative search results. The feature is designed to help users find the information they need more efficiently.
New advances in reinforcement learning: Researchers have made significant progress in reinforcement learning, a type of machine learning that involves training agents to make decisions in order to maximize rewards. New algorithms and techniques are being developed that allow agents to learn more quickly and effectively.

AI Applications:

AI-powered healthcare diagnostics: AI is being used to develop new tools for diagnosing diseases and improving patient outcomes. For example, AI-powered systems can analyze medical images to detect cancer and other abnormalities.
AI-powered customer service: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are becoming increasingly common in customer service applications. These systems can provide quick and accurate responses to customer inquiries, reducing the need for human agents.

What’s new in crypto this week

The crypto market has seen a mix of developments this week, with some coins experiencing gains while others have faced declines. Here are some of the key highlights:

Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) consolidation: The largest cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin and Ethereum, have been consolidating in a relatively narrow range after recent price increases. Some analysts are anticipating a potential breakout in either direction.
Altcoin activity: Several altcoins have seen increased volatility, with some experiencing significant gains or losses. Factors such as project developments, market sentiment, and macroeconomic conditions can influence altcoin prices.
Regulatory developments: Regulatory news continues to impact the crypto market. In some jurisdictions, there have been positive developments, such as regulatory clarity or favorable rulings. However, in other regions, there have been concerns about stricter regulations or bans.
NFT market: The non-fungible token (NFT) market has seen mixed activity. Some NFT collections have experienced increased interest and trading volume, while others have faced declines.
Decentralized finance (DeFi) growth: The DeFi sector continues to grow, with new protocols and applications being developed. DeFi platforms offer various financial services, such as lending, borrowing, and trading, without intermediaries.

Videos of JRP on YouTube

My YouTube channel is here. The oldest one on the channel was from a speech I gave in Paris in 1996. It is here.