Latest news with #Daniher
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
How AI technology gave Neale Daniher his voice back
AFL icon and Australian of the Year Neale Daniher lost the ability to speak because of motor neurone disease (MND), but thanks to AI technology, his family and fans can hear his voice again. Here's how the technology works. MND is a degenerative autoimmune disease that damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for controlling muscles, which slowly impedes the person's ability to move and speak. But the eye can be resistant to the degeneration, so eye-gaze technology has been developed to help patients communicate. Eye-gaze technology involves the user looking at a keyboard or phrases on a screen, while an infrared-sensitive camera tracks their eye as it moves. The camera uses the pupil as a centrepoint and the light reflecting off the eye to detect movement, allowing the user to spell out or select words, according to research and development company Eyegaze Inc. Daniher, 64, has used the technology to record his words which are converted into an animated voice. He was using that technology in January when he made his acceptance speech as Australian of the Year, an award bestowed on him for his fundraising efforts to find a cure for MND. The voice has a similar robotic cadence as that made famous by fellow MND sufferer Stephen Hawking, though the theoretical physicist used a cheek muscle to dictate to a computer once he lost the use of his hands. But with the latest AI developments that allow for voice cloning, Daniher has been able to communicate using a voice, tone and style that sounds remarkably like he did beforehand.
The Age
a day ago
- Health
- The Age
How AI technology gave Neale Daniher his voice back
AFL icon and Australian of the Year Neale Daniher lost the ability to speak because of motor neurone disease (MND), but thanks to AI technology, his family and fans can hear his voice again. Here's how the technology works. MND is a degenerative autoimmune disease that damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for controlling muscles, which slowly impedes the person's ability to move and speak. But the eye can be resistant to the degeneration, so eye-gaze technology has been developed to help patients communicate. Eye-gaze technology involves the user looking at a keyboard or phrases on a screen, while an infrared-sensitive camera tracks their eye as it moves. The camera uses the pupil as a centrepoint and the light reflecting off the eye to detect movement, allowing the user to spell out or select words, according to research and development company Eyegaze Inc. Daniher, 64, has used the technology to record his words which are converted into an animated voice. He was using that technology in January when he made his acceptance speech as Australian of the Year, an award bestowed on him for his fundraising efforts to find a cure for MND. The voice has a similar robotic cadence as that made famous by fellow MND sufferer Stephen Hawking, though the theoretical physicist used a cheek muscle to dictate to a computer once he lost the use of his hands. But with the latest AI developments that allow for voice cloning, Daniher has been able to communicate using a voice, tone and style that sounds remarkably like he did beforehand.
7NEWS
a day ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Neale Daniher honoured with guard of honour from both teams before King's Birthday clash
Neale Daniher has been honoured by Collingwood, Melbourne and the wider AFL community with an 'incredibly touching' guard of honour before the traditional King's Birthday clash on Monday. The pre-match begun, as always, with the Big Freeze 11 sliders, where Sunrise star Matt Shirvington and Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus led a group of 10 Aussie icons, dressed in the theme of Aussie icons. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Guard of honour formed for Neale Daniher. Then, when the two teams entered the stadium for their last-minute pre-match run-throughs, every Melbourne player ran over to Daniher on the sidelines to each give him their own touch. Minutes later, players from both sides, as well as coaches and umpires, formed a guard of honour for the Australian of the Year, just ahead of the first bounce of the game. Daniher was wheeled through the guard of honour by his son Luke in what was an emotional scene. A sea of the iconic blue beanies formed the backdrop to the guard of honour, which was conducted on the boundary line near the crowd. It was a special touch added to what has already become a landmark event on the Australian sporting calendar. 'This is a magic moment,' Dale Thomas said. Bruce McAvaney added: 'What a football family the Danihers are, and what an Australian family they've become. 'And for Neale, who could have hidden away from this and we wouldn't have seen them for all these years, he has delivered in spades in terms of inspiration.' Kate McCarthy was at ground level when it happened: 'Really emotional scenes just then as both teams gave the guard of honour to Neale Daniher and incredibly touching down here.' Melbourne players get around Neale Daniher before Pies clash
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Max Gawn says Neale Daniher's inspiration is taking the ‘me' out of Melbourne
Loading The irony of Neale Daniher is that since he became non-verbal his voice has got louder. A journalist and noted after-dinner speaker agreed once to address an AFL team and he asked how long he should speak for. Fifteen minutes? Twenty? He was told, 'if you hold them for five, you are Churchill'. Australian of the Year and FightMND campaigner Daniher spoke – through his technology and his daughter Bec – at length with Melbourne players this week. They were in thrall. He has spoken annually to the Melbourne players, and indeed to those at Collingwood ahead of the Big Freeze match, and he regularly talks to other clubs, too. No one tunes out. His ability to resonate has got keener. Melbourne captain Max Gawn said while Daniher's one-liners had changed over the years, the fundamental message he delivered had not. 'They're all relatively inspirational, but similar at the same time. They are about team before me. He is the definition of selfless, which is great for the football world,' Melbourne captain Max Gawn said. 'He's literally fighting the disease (motor neurone disease), and he won't win, but just so others can succeed from it. That is the definition of selfless. 'He partners his messages up with stuff like this one, which is 'live it forward', which is great, which is forward planning, 'be your best self'. They're all great messages.
The Age
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Max Gawn says Neale Daniher's inspiration is taking the ‘me' out of Melbourne
Loading The irony of Neale Daniher is that since he became non-verbal his voice has got louder. A journalist and noted after-dinner speaker agreed once to address an AFL team and he asked how long he should speak for. Fifteen minutes? Twenty? He was told, 'if you hold them for five, you are Churchill'. Australian of the Year and FightMND campaigner Daniher spoke – through his technology and his daughter Bec – at length with Melbourne players this week. They were in thrall. He has spoken annually to the Melbourne players, and indeed to those at Collingwood ahead of the Big Freeze match, and he regularly talks to other clubs, too. No one tunes out. His ability to resonate has got keener. Melbourne captain Max Gawn said while Daniher's one-liners had changed over the years, the fundamental message he delivered had not. 'They're all relatively inspirational, but similar at the same time. They are about team before me. He is the definition of selfless, which is great for the football world,' Melbourne captain Max Gawn said. 'He's literally fighting the disease (motor neurone disease), and he won't win, but just so others can succeed from it. That is the definition of selfless. 'He partners his messages up with stuff like this one, which is 'live it forward', which is great, which is forward planning, 'be your best self'. They're all great messages.
