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Chinese hacker’s mind-controlled wheelchair prototype wins top hardware prize
The Shenzhen-based inventor built the mind-controlled wheelchair prototype in 48 hours at a Shanghai hackathon, after years of self-teaching brain-computer interface and AI following paralysis.
A man from southeastern China and his wife from Shenzhen say their mind-controlled wheelchair prototype won first prize in the hardware category at a Shanghai-based hackathon hosted by RedNote, according to SCMP Economy.
SCMP Economy reports that Wang Ning, 33, created the prototype in just 48 hours during the competition. The outlet describes hackathons as short, on-site events where participants collaborate under tight deadlines to build products or prototypes from scratch.
The project was shaped by Wang’s health journey, which SCMP Economy links to a 13-centimetre spinal cord tumor diagnosed in 2020. After two major surgeries, he experienced full-body paralysis twice, with only eye movement and intense nerve pain before gradually regaining the ability to stand and walk through rehabilitation.
SCMP Economy adds that Wang, who had no prior experience in coding or hardware engineering and is a fine arts graduate, began self-teaching AI and brain-computer interface technology in 2022 using books and online resources. The outlet also says he used the experience to aim at greater independence for people with mobility challenges.