Man with Motor Neurone Disease invents gadgets to beat daily struggles

By James Connolly

A tech whizz with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has turned his home into a Wallace & Gromit-style lab of inventions to help him beat the daily struggles of his condition.

Andrew Herbert, 55, has rigged up everything from smart sensors to an AI-powered bird-watching camera to keep control of everyday life.

One of his most eye-catching gadgets is a motorised device that rolls back his bedcovers - while playing the Wallace & Gromit theme tune.

Dad-of-two Andrew, who was diagnosed in 2022, said: "Necessity is the mother of invention.

"When I'm sat here, I have plenty of time to think about how I can solve problems."

MND is a debilitating neurological condition that attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord which control movement.

Over time, it causes muscles to weaken, leaving sufferers increasingly unable to walk, talk, eat or even breathe independently.

The diagnosis came as a shock for Andrew, who had always prided himself on living an active lifestyle - and used to pedal a 64-mile round trip to work once a week.

He said: "I did a lot of cycling, running and all sorts of outdoor pursuits.

"But about four years ago, I noticed I was getting weaker. I couldn't understand it."

After a series of tests, doctors confirmed the devastating diagnosis.

Andrew, who has worked in tech for more than three decades and is now Chief Technology Officer at financial services firm Novuna, said: "It's a life-changing event.

"I was thinking about my family and how they're going to manage with me deteriorating."

As the disease progressed and mobility became harder, Andrew began using his tech skills to solve everyday problems around the house.

Using open-source smart home software called Home Assistant, Andrew has created a network of devices that lets him control appliances and systems throughout the house.

He said: "It can centralise the controls of all the devices I have.

More from this section

+6

Vi-app-gra? Scientists develop new app that helps men last longer

Anxiety and ADHD can overlap – here’s how to untangle these widespread mental health disorders

+5

Study suggests positive mood can help women keep to a diet

"I've come up with various things to make my life easier."

His inventions range from practical problem-solvers to playful gadgets.

The bed-cover contraption that has captured people's imagination is actually built from repurposed curtain motors.

Andrew said: "I'd get too hot or cold in bed, so I fitted the curtain openers - they actually work really well.

"They're linked up to a smart speaker that plays the Wallace & Gromit theme tune."

The fun gadgets are part of Andrew's efforts to stay positive despite the progressive disease.

He said: "A lot of what I do is just for fun, as well as being useful."

At his front door, facial recognition software identifies approaching carers and plays a little musical theme to welcome them.

Inside the house, cameras powered by artificial intelligence help him keep an eye on everything from his ventilator readings overnight to what birds are visiting his garden.

Andrew said: "There's AI on the bird feeder that identifies any interesting birds that visit - but it does make mistakes sometimes, because it's an American programme.

"The other day, it told me there was a chickadee in the garden."

The technology also helps monitor his health, with cameras scanning numbers on his ventilator while he sleeps so he can check the readings the next morning.

Despite the challenges of MND, Andrew still works three days a week leading major technology projects for his firm, which serves more than 1.3 million customers.

He has also helped inspire colleagues to take part in fundraising challenges supporting organisations including the MND Association and the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.

Andrew said sharing his inventions online has become an important outlet for him.

He said: "I think people with MND should try to find creative outlets when they can't do what they used to be able to do.

"This is an area where I can be creative and get a real sense of purpose."