0:00:04 > 0:00:07We're living in a new age of invention.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Brilliant brains are no longer just holed up
0:00:10 > 0:00:14in leading the university labs or research facilities.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20Today, inventors are coming together in technology hubs like this
0:00:20 > 0:00:23to design, to help improve people's lives.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26It's actually working! That's so cool!
0:00:26 > 0:00:28For this series, we've brought together
0:00:28 > 0:00:32seven of the UK's leading engineers, designers and computer programmers.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35- Ta-da!- I'm going to make myself the guinea pig.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38They'll use cutting-edge science and technology
0:00:38 > 0:00:42to build life changing solutions for people in desperate need.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44I don't know who to ask...
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- ..or where to go. - In pain, uncomfortable...
0:00:48 > 0:00:51From helping individuals who are seriously ill...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53- RATTLE-LIKE BLOW - Whoa!
0:00:53 > 0:00:57..to solving issues affecting entire communities.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Someone's either going to get seriously injured and can't get aid
0:01:00 > 0:01:01or someone's going to die.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04They'll attempt to tackle major problems
0:01:04 > 0:01:06that have so far gone unsolved.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09I think I've created something really new
0:01:09 > 0:01:11and possibly revolutionary.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13The potential of this is massive.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Fingers crossed nothing cracks or explodes.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20This week, they'll help a photographer
0:01:20 > 0:01:22with a life-threatening condition.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26I already bring attention to myself with my bandages.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29They'll attempt to bring cutting-edge communication
0:01:29 > 0:01:31to a remote Welsh village.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33Why should we be excluded?
0:01:33 > 0:01:35They'll work to give some control back
0:01:35 > 0:01:38to a young designer with Parkinson's disease.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Anything you could do that would make my hand
0:01:41 > 0:01:43do what I want it to do.
0:01:43 > 0:01:44I'm Simon Reeve.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Over the next nine months, I'll be working with this brilliant team.
0:01:48 > 0:01:49If they succeed,
0:01:49 > 0:01:54they could change these people's lives and the lives of many more.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Hello!
0:01:56 > 0:01:58Yeah!
0:01:58 > 0:02:00This is the best thing that could ever happen for us.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Keep going, keep going! Keep going to the end!
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Our team's base is in East London.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Known as a makerspace, it's one of a national network
0:02:16 > 0:02:19of inventors' hubs, crammed full of the latest technology.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22It's from here that our seven leading inventors will attempt
0:02:22 > 0:02:25to create fixes for people with nowhere else to turn.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28I'm really excited about what we're going to learn.
0:02:28 > 0:02:29I can't wait to meet these people.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32The team includes a director from Microsoft,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35engineers who worked at Dyson's innovation labs,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37award-winning designers,
0:02:37 > 0:02:40who've built everything from ambulances to earthquake sensors.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Right, let's get our sleeves rolled up and get stuck in.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51'Jude Pullen has been chosen to lead the first case,
0:02:51 > 0:02:53'helping a passionate photographer with a condition
0:02:53 > 0:02:56'that seriously affects his life.'
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Have you always been a maker?
0:02:58 > 0:03:01The first thing I remember, because there's a photograph of it,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04is I made a hotel for birds.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- A hotel for birds? - A hotel for birds.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- How old were you?- I think I was six.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13'Jude is an award-winning design engineer.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15'He's worked closely with the NHS,
0:03:15 > 0:03:19'designed firefighting robots and even mini space pods.'
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- Oh, wow!- It's amazing. - Cool van, James.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- Very impressed to see you out and driving.- Thanks.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30'We've come to Merseyside to meet 22-year-old James Dunn.'
0:03:33 > 0:03:37- Can you tell us a little bit about your condition, James?- Yeah.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41It's called epidermolysis bullosa
0:03:41 > 0:03:46- and it's a genetic skin condition... - CAR BEEPS
0:03:46 > 0:03:49..which causes my skin to fall off
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- and blister and scar with friction...- I see.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56..because I'm missing the collagen in my skin,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58which is basically the glue.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Is it particularly unique, people with your condition, to drive?
0:04:02 > 0:04:06I was the first one in a wheelchair with EB
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- to drive in this country. - Wow, that's amazing.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11Yeah, because I'm quite strong-minded.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14I knew I wanted to do it, so I was going to do it.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- Do you mean strong-minded as stubborn?- Yeah, sometimes.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19The thing with my condition
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- is it's all about taking my mind off the pain...- Yeah.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25..and then the difficulties in life.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28That's what we live for - distraction,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31distracting me from reality, basically.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35'James loves photography, but 12 years ago,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38'the skin between his fingers started fusing together.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41'Now he's completely lost the use of his hands
0:04:41 > 0:04:43'and can no longer operate a camera.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47'He's hoping Jude can help. We've come to James's home,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50'where he lives with his mum and dad, to see some of his work.'
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you. - I'm Leslie.- Nice to meet you. Jude.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- Hello, Leslie.- Hello.- Simon. Lovely to meet you.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Thank you for letting us come in.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00Simon, do you mind turning it on?
0:05:00 > 0:05:02I've got one of these.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04'EB is a rare and potentially terminal condition.'
0:05:05 > 0:05:09- Do you want to see one I'm really I'm proud of?- Yes.- Yeah.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Not for any reason, just cos I think it's a really good photo.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16You can still people there in the background.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Even though they're not in focus,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20you can see them going about their life.
0:05:20 > 0:05:26- Who do you take pictures for? - Mainly myself and memories.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Memories are important because, obviously, with a terminal illness,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32you're not going to live a full life.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35It's going to be a short life, so while I'm here,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37it's about having fun and making memories
0:05:37 > 0:05:39and leaving something behind,
0:05:39 > 0:05:44like leaving...memories for other people to look at.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- Do bandages?- Yeah.- Sure.- OK.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- How often do you have to do this, James?- Um, every other day.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- I know he's going to feel a lot better afterwards.- Afterwards.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59So, I think that's what keeps me going.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02'James is in permanent chronic pain.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06'He wears protective dressings all over is body to prevent blisters
0:06:06 > 0:06:08'which can cause infection and skin cancers.'
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- Sorry.- It's OK.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- Is it only Mum who does it? - Yeah, I only let her do it.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20- Don't let anyone else... I'll do that, Mum. We laugh about it.- We do.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24- Do a lot of people laugh about it with EB?- Yeah, we just laugh.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- Sometimes I can pull your skin off, can't I?- Yeah.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- So, I'll try and get them slow. - Sometimes you what?
0:06:31 > 0:06:35- I can pull the skin off, so... - You have to be very careful.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37The bandages, the reason they're so specialist
0:06:37 > 0:06:43is because you can't use adhesive stuff, sticky stuff.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- Ow...- Sorry.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53- You must feel your body lets you down.- Yeah, I do.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Honestly, that's it. You've hit the nail on the head. I do.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59I just wish... I've got the brain of a normal person,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02I wish I had the body of a normal person.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05You haven't got the brain of a normal person.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08You're far more mature and creative
0:07:08 > 0:07:10and thoughtful than the average person.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13You're certainly a lot more mature than the average 22-year-old,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- I would humbly suggest.- Thank you.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20And to develop to that stage, frankly, as a person,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24with everything you've gone through at the same time,
0:07:24 > 0:07:26is...it's unimaginable.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- All right?- All set?- Yeah.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35'The only way James can now take pictures
0:07:35 > 0:07:38'is with the help of his dad, Kenny.'
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- Morning.- Morning.- Morning.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Come on then, dad, step up to the plate.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Let's just see if we can move this down.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48So, this is really helpful for me, James,
0:07:48 > 0:07:53cos I'm understanding what parts of the camera you interact with.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57'A top of the range SLR camera takes a lot of setting up.'
0:07:58 > 0:08:03Feel free to bicker. I have a sense that this is what you sometimes do.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08- No, I'm just keeping quiet before he starts shouting at me.- Then zoom in.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Back, back, back to CA again.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12- Back, back.- Where's CA? - That way. Right round.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14'It's been a good five minutes
0:08:14 > 0:08:17'and James and Kenny still haven't taken any pictures.'
0:08:17 > 0:08:18OK, that's the menu I want.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- It's quite a process, isn't it, Kenny?- Yeah.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Now turn that wheel again. That wheel.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28- James, does it hurt you to touch the controls?- Yeah, really does.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- It REALLY does?- Yeah.- And buttons are kind of fiddly, aren't they?
0:08:31 > 0:08:33They're very small on cameras.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34SHUTTER CLICKS
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- So, I notice you've got a little pedal down here.- Yeah.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41- How much control would you say you have?- With my feet, lots, yeah.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44What are your first thoughts, Jude?
0:08:44 > 0:08:48I'd say, clearly, there's no doubt this is not about saying,
0:08:48 > 0:08:50"Why can't you just use a smartphone?"
0:08:50 > 0:08:53James described how, even for the pain,
0:08:53 > 0:08:57- it recedes when he's immersed in the creative process.- Mmm.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01It's really about sort of improving the way of his life,
0:09:01 > 0:09:03physically and creatively.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08'The challenge for Jude now is to design a way
0:09:08 > 0:09:10'for James to take photos using his own camera.'
0:09:13 > 0:09:15'It's a very profound experience
0:09:15 > 0:09:18'to be welcomed into someone's life who, quite obviously,'
0:09:18 > 0:09:22is coping with so much adversity
0:09:22 > 0:09:25but coming through it in such a way
0:09:25 > 0:09:29that has so much spirit and so much resilience and so much ambition
0:09:29 > 0:09:35that you can't help but feel inspired and motivated.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38If there's any pressure in this project,
0:09:38 > 0:09:42it's hoping that you deliver something that is meaningful.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44It's a hell of day.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48And I'm sure it'll stay with me
0:09:48 > 0:09:52and I'll be thinking about it for a long time.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00Our next case is being taken on by inventors Ryan and Ross.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Ross Atkin is an award-winning product designer and engineer.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12He's worked on projects for Stannah stairlifts and Transport for London.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15He even designed smart technology for Cities of the Future.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Ryan White is an electronics engineer, originally from Canada.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24He's built deep-sea robots, but his real passion is giving people
0:10:24 > 0:10:28the technology to build and fix things for themselves.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Look! Look at that hill! It's like a crumpled pillow.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42I guess it reminds me of home cos it's absolutely beautiful.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- It's wanting me to turn right here. Should I turn right?- This is it.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- Yeah, we need to go. - We're actually here.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52We're heading to a small village called Staylittle in central Wales,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55a community that's cut off from the modern world.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59It's known as a "not-spot",
0:10:59 > 0:11:02an area with terrible internet and phone reception.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07We've called a meeting with the residents in the village hall.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Who here has a mobile phone?
0:11:11 > 0:11:12Who here has a mobile phone
0:11:12 > 0:11:15that actually works regularly and you can rely on?
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Who can make a call right now?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19So, almost everybody has a mobile phone, but only three people,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22I think, have one that actually works.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27Whose landline does not work regularly per year?
0:11:29 > 0:11:34- Wow.- That's very little. - Do you get angry about it?
0:11:34 > 0:11:36LAUGHTER
0:11:36 > 0:11:40Frustrated, I think, isn't it? It's frustration rather than anger.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43I have to contact my carer.
0:11:43 > 0:11:50I do need her to have a line I can reach her at any time.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Who needs the internet?
0:11:54 > 0:11:57It's the things like for my daughter, here,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00she's nine and my family are getting older. Homework.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02I can't get online for basic information
0:12:02 > 0:12:04about Victorians a couple of weeks ago.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09I can't do that and that's not helping my children's education.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Increasingly, there's a lot of things you have to do
0:12:12 > 0:12:14that you can only do online.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Yeah, but when you look at the rest of Britain has it,
0:12:17 > 0:12:20why should we be excluded from that?
0:12:20 > 0:12:23'With the meeting over, we head out to investigate.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27'The first problem here is the landline.'
0:12:27 > 0:12:30The infrastructure was built an age ago.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32It definitely can't support the internet
0:12:32 > 0:12:34and the villagers are struggling to make phone calls with it.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41Mrs Bucknell has experienced the problems firsthand.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- It happened once when we were flooded.- What did you do?
0:12:45 > 0:12:49We had to wait for people to come down and we said,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52"We haven't got a phone to tell anybody."
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- Water was all round us and coming through the front door.- Oh, my God.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- Wow.- Yeah.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00The first issue is the landlines.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03But the team can't just lay new phone cables
0:13:03 > 0:13:05because the cost is enormous.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Second is mobile phone reception.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Welsh hills and the lack of phone masts
0:13:10 > 0:13:13mean it's often nigh impossible to get connected.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Challenge number one would be my daughter.
0:13:16 > 0:13:22Mum, Amanda, thinks it's putting her children's health at risk.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24About two years old, we had what they thought, at the time,
0:13:24 > 0:13:26was an asthmatic attack,
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- which now has been proved to be an anaphylactic reaction.- Oh, wow.
0:13:30 > 0:13:31Within an hour, after a nap,
0:13:31 > 0:13:35we had breathing difficulties and various things, had to be rushed,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38we've had to go into hospital, we've relied on an air ambulance.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40We're under the care of dermatology,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43a paediatrician and an ophthalmologist, aren't we?
0:13:43 > 0:13:45So, we rely quite heavily
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- on communication. - Where are they located?
0:13:47 > 0:13:52But the biggest issue for many here is the internet.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Internet connection is just pathetic.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58People need the internet for paying taxes, shopping, homework.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02But broadband internet is almost nonexistent here.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03What should be done in ten minutes
0:14:03 > 0:14:06will take you three-quarters of an hour.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08HE KNOCKS ON DOOR
0:14:08 > 0:14:10The village of Staylittle is not alone.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12For big phone operators,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15small villages are just not a commercial priority.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- Shall I call my mum? - Yeah, call your mum, come on.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- Have you got a tone?- It doesn't sound like a phone that works.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Why does it say, "Email, text, phone" on the top?
0:14:24 > 0:14:28- It's a sticker that someone's put on there.- Is it a joke?
0:14:28 > 0:14:31In fact, there are 80,000 not-spots across the UK,
0:14:31 > 0:14:33affecting millions of people.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38It's an enormous issue for rural businesses
0:14:38 > 0:14:40and households across the country.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45We head to London to report back to the rest of the team.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50Why is it that Wales hasn't got this? Why is this a thing?
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- I'm slightly bemused that this... - The mind boggles at this.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56I can't believe that this is a problem right now.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00It's just why, how? It's such a small island where we are.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04Even in Australia, we have phone booths with solar panels on top
0:15:04 > 0:15:05in the middle of the desert.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09Back in Canada, tiny coastal communities, similar to this,
0:15:09 > 0:15:10less than 100 people live there,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13and it's still there and it works and it's reliable all the time.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17In fact, all of Staylittle's communication problems
0:15:17 > 0:15:19can be solved if they have the internet.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24Villagers can surf the web and make phone calls over the net.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31But how will the team bring the internet to a remote village?
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Around the world, tech companies are spending millions
0:15:34 > 0:15:36tackling the same problem.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40Google have tried floating huge balloons over New Zealand
0:15:40 > 0:15:42to create a wireless network.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46Facebook have been flying vast solar-powered internet drones.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49The team's budget doesn't extend quite that far,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52but can they come up with something better?
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Three weeks after meeting James, the photographer,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Jude is back in London, working on the camera.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07This is, if you like, my little mini workshop, where the magic happens.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11I've got my computer, I've got my 3-D printer,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14I've got a prototyping map.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17First thing to acknowledge is I am not a professional photographer.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22I am looking at this massively complex button-covered machine
0:16:22 > 0:16:25with a certain amount of trepidation.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Jude is working on the same make of camera that James has.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34It has hundreds of options.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40I mean, it's like the ISO, the zoom, the focus, the menu,
0:16:40 > 0:16:42aperture priority...
0:16:42 > 0:16:45The list of complexity on this thing is just huge.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51So, that was just using a little bit of isopropyl alcohol
0:16:51 > 0:16:54which is going to help this stuff stick to it.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Jude is using mouldable silicon putty
0:16:57 > 0:17:01to make the fiddly buttons more user-friendly for James.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06I noticed James actually had a foot pedal
0:17:06 > 0:17:08on the bottom of his wheelchair,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11so I've taken that to not just autofocus,
0:17:11 > 0:17:12but also take a picture.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Next, he's creating a pedal system
0:17:15 > 0:17:18that will allow James to quickly take a photo.
0:17:18 > 0:17:25My concern is that this is requiring quite...a bit of force.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29Finally, he's tackling the zoom,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31which is impossible for James to control.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36He's going to build James a custom zoom controller.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41So, we designed something in this program here
0:17:41 > 0:17:43and I'm just about to 3-D print it
0:17:43 > 0:17:45to this little orange machine in the background here.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50At the minute, the flashing light means it's thinking about it.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54I think this machine is smarter than I am cos I am so tired.
0:17:55 > 0:17:56So, here goes.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00And so, about 20 minutes later,
0:18:00 > 0:18:05and about, I guess, five pence later, we'll have a part for James.
0:18:06 > 0:18:103-D printers squeeze molten plastic through a tiny nozzle,
0:18:10 > 0:18:14creating slices that build and stick together from the bottom up.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19These machines can now be bought for a few hundred pounds
0:18:19 > 0:18:21and are being used to build everything
0:18:21 > 0:18:23from prosthetic hands to car parts.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28So...just comes off.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31This bit isn't needed any more, and this is the piece.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- Good to see you.- You too. How are you?
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Well, to be honest, I'm quite nervous and excited.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39I hope that he's going to see...
0:18:39 > 0:18:41'James and his mum, Leslie, have come down to London
0:18:41 > 0:18:44'to try out some of Jude's early ideas.'
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- Hello.- Hello, oh, I get a hug as well.- Hello, good to see you.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- Hi, how are you? - I'm good, thank you.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- Lovely to see you.- Hey, James, how's it going?- Good.- Good to see you.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57What I have is...
0:18:58 > 0:19:01You might find some of these a little easier to press.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03So, this isn't the end result.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05This is for you and me to learn what works.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- Do you want to try switching it on? - Yeah.- So, you know your on button.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- That's a good start.- Wow.- So you can actually get one.- Can you, yeah?
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Yeah. So, I made this little 3-D print.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20Basically, that just holds in, with a little bit of Blu-tack.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25And I think, to be honest, this is a bit ridiculously big.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27I think you're not going to struggle.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29So, you want to push the other way.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32'Jude is trying out different levers to find one that James can operate
0:19:32 > 0:19:34'with the least amount of pain.'
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Try the smaller end and be honest if it's a bit too firm.
0:19:39 > 0:19:40- That's firmer than the other one. - Yeah.
0:19:42 > 0:19:43So, that's the middle.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- Is that doable?- That's the big one.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50- The big one.- The big one's better? - Yeah.- OK. So, the final bit...
0:19:50 > 0:19:53You were probably hoping I would have spent more money on this,
0:19:53 > 0:19:57but these are basically typists' foot pedals.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- Autofocus.- Wow.- Jesus!
0:20:01 > 0:20:03That's amazing, that.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06How someone with intelligence can just do it.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- This is really only about £10 to make this.- All that?
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- But it was what was up here as well. - Of course.- And that's priceless!
0:20:13 > 0:20:17Now Jude wants to see if his prototypes work,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20so we're off on a tour of the street art of East London.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22This is the location.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25And you've got to see what you like and what works on the camera
0:20:25 > 0:20:27and feed back to Jude.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Be tough on him. He can take it. He can.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33He's in third gear.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39That's cool.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43- So is that. That is fantastic!- Wow!
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Look at that! You've got a nice shot of this.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- See, I thought that was good. - I don't know if this is possible.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52A photographer doesn't always take pictures in landscape.
0:20:52 > 0:20:58- Ooh!- That is an extremely good point.- Yeah.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Sometimes he wants to turn the camera.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03'The battery on the camera keeps dying
0:21:03 > 0:21:07'and James is unable to change it himself.'
0:21:07 > 0:21:12We should give the screen a rest cos I think that uses a lot of battery.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15I do want it to look like the part as well.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20- With big things sticking off the camera, it doesn't look great.- Yeah.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- That sounds harsh, doesn't it? - No, no.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- No, no, no.- I already bring attention to myself
0:21:27 > 0:21:29with my bandages, so...
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Give it a score out of ten and then we can check again.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34I can't possibly do that. I'm not...
0:21:34 > 0:21:36THEY LAUGH
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- Definitely above five cos I can use the camera.- Above five.- Yeah.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Simon, you're too straight.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45'At the moment, James can't rotate the camera,
0:21:45 > 0:21:47'some of Jude's additions are too bulky
0:21:47 > 0:21:50'and the batteries are running out far too quickly.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52'There's a lot of work to do.'
0:21:53 > 0:21:55The thing that is, to be honest, a little bit scary,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58is that James isn't a pushover
0:21:58 > 0:22:01and I'm going to have to really work to take it to the level
0:22:01 > 0:22:03that he's genuinely really impressed with
0:22:03 > 0:22:07and that he'll be able to immerse himself in the art form.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17The next case for our team is to help a talented young designer,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20whose illness is affecting her career.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25Computer scientist Haiyan Zhang will lead the project.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Her work includes designing cutlery for disabled people
0:22:28 > 0:22:32and even panic buttons for use in hostile environments.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Currently, she's a director of innovation at Microsoft Research.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- What are you hoping to find out today?- I think on the first visit,
0:22:41 > 0:22:46it's really just getting to know her, um, what she's like.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49And seeing where you might be able to fit in
0:22:49 > 0:22:51- with your expertise and help. - Yeah, exactly.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55'We've come to a busy design agency in London
0:22:55 > 0:23:00'to meet 32-year-old Emma Lawton, a successful graphic designer.'
0:23:00 > 0:23:03What does a creative director do in a company like this?
0:23:03 > 0:23:07We often do branding, we do some print work.
0:23:07 > 0:23:08I sit around all day and colour things in.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10That's what I tell people.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12'Emma has Parkinson's.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15'It's relatively common among the over 60s.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19'Emma developed the condition when she was just 29.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21'Currently, there's no cure.'
0:23:24 > 0:23:27OK, I'm going to try and replicate this here.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31We're off to a great start(!)
0:23:33 > 0:23:36'Emma's not expecting a miracle cure from Haiyan,
0:23:36 > 0:23:40'but she'd like help dealing with symptoms of Parkinson's.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43'Many sufferers find their limbs become more rigid
0:23:43 > 0:23:44'and they experience tremors.'
0:23:44 > 0:23:47I tend to just avoid doing sketching and writing now,
0:23:47 > 0:23:50because it's just... It's not really worth it
0:23:50 > 0:23:51if you get something like that. It's like...
0:23:51 > 0:23:55Anything you could do that would just make my hand
0:23:55 > 0:23:57do what I want it to do
0:23:57 > 0:24:00- and to be able to sign my name would be an incredible thing.- Yeah.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03There's things like that that are really important to me,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06to be able to express myself through writing.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08How integral is drawing to your job?
0:24:08 > 0:24:12It's important to me as a person and as a designer that I can do it.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14- Mm-hmm. - Personally and professionally.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15Personally and professionally.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19- This isn't just a job. This is about...- This is who I am.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21We're heading to Emma's home to find out
0:24:21 > 0:24:24more about how Parkinson's has affected her life.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Thank you. How did your family take the diagnosis?
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Um, in very different ways.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38My mum works in learning disabilities and things like that,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40so she's incredibly practical in a crisis,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43and I know that she got incredibly upset about it
0:24:43 > 0:24:45and she just didn't show me that.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47She was there for hugs when I needed it,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50but she went into battle plan mode and I needed her to do that
0:24:50 > 0:24:53because I wasn't ready to do that myself.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57My dad, I think, was upset that he couldn't fix it.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59And I think it's taken him a long time to realise
0:24:59 > 0:25:01that we can't actually solve it,
0:25:01 > 0:25:03we just have to live with it and do the best we can.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- Hello.- Hello.- Hello.- Hi.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09'Emma's been with her boyfriend, Shram, for the last three years.'
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- Nice to meet you.- Simon. - Hi, nice to meet you.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Can you give us an idea of how important drawing
0:25:15 > 0:25:19and being able to create things on a page is to her.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22I think one of things that she wants to do
0:25:22 > 0:25:24is just feel like everybody else,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27do the things that everybody else does on a day-to-day basis.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Obviously, she's honest about it.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33It's the little things that make you, keep you human, as it were,
0:25:33 > 0:25:36doing the day-to-day things that we normally do.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38If she could do just simply writing,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41that would give her more, and drawing, obviously,
0:25:41 > 0:25:46is really important to her from a creative perspective,
0:25:46 > 0:25:49so I think it would just open so much more up for her
0:25:49 > 0:25:51that, to an extent, she may have thought
0:25:51 > 0:25:53she'd never be able to do again.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55'Over the next two weeks,
0:25:55 > 0:25:59'Haiyan juggles her full-time job and her newborn baby'
0:25:59 > 0:26:01with researching solutions
0:26:01 > 0:26:04that could help to get Emma writing and drawing again.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06So, I met with this really interesting
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Oxford professor of physics who I was chatting with
0:26:10 > 0:26:14about this particular challenge with Emma.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Haiyan experiments with pens that are adapted to reduce tremors,
0:26:18 > 0:26:21but they're not quite good enough for what Emma needs.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26So, she starts developing her own ideas.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30I've got a whole bunch of experiments to try out.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33She's invited Emma to her office in Cambridge.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38This is also super rough, so I'm not expecting any answers.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40I just want to observe you
0:26:40 > 0:26:44doing more different kinds of writing and drawing.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48- This is a pantograph. It is a children's toy.- Yeah.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50- But it's also a professional design tool.- Yeah.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53I've tried to cheat a little bit
0:26:53 > 0:26:58- by adding in slightly more rigid hinges...- Yeah.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02- ..so that it's trying to dampen... - Ah, clever.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05..your movement a little bit. So, I don't know. Let's try it.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09First, she tries to steady Emma's hand
0:27:09 > 0:27:12by increasing the drag of the pen.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15It's actually probably magnifying the shakes.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17You would think it would dampen it down,
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- but it actually sort of magnifies it.- Yeah.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Let's move onto something much more experimental.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25It started out with thinking about this phenomenon that happens
0:27:25 > 0:27:29- when a magnet is rolling off an aluminium surface.- OK.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31So, it does weird things, like this.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34It's sliding.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38Because, basically, an opposing magnetic force is being created
0:27:38 > 0:27:41around the magnet, so it's just slowing down...
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Then she uses magnets to create a resistance.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48- If we slide...- Can I start over this way a little bit?
0:27:48 > 0:27:50- Yeah, sure, just slide it around. - Yeah?- Yeah.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57This writing pad comes with me, to just hold the magnet underneath.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03- Oh, sorry.- OK.- What did you say? "Don't lift the pad."
0:28:03 > 0:28:07But at the end of the tests, Emma's control of the pen is still poor.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10'How do we even just begin to help her overcome
0:28:10 > 0:28:13'this particular symptom of her tremors
0:28:13 > 0:28:15'and help her be able to regain'
0:28:15 > 0:28:17her writing ability, her drawing ability?
0:28:17 > 0:28:22You know, I don't think we're ever going to get that back 100%.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26My challenge is, I mean, it's immense.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Back in London, Jude has been adapting James's camera.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35For the last three months,
0:28:35 > 0:28:39he's spent every spare moment working on it.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43So, this is a new piece of kit for me. This is a power converter.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47First, Jude wants to power the camera
0:28:47 > 0:28:49directly from James's electric wheelchair,
0:28:49 > 0:28:53so the camera battery will last for as long as James is out and about.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03What we're going to do is transform the power
0:29:03 > 0:29:05down from his wheelchair battery
0:29:05 > 0:29:09and use this little, if you like, dummy battery.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15And it's going to take us from James's wheelchair voltage
0:29:15 > 0:29:20down to a voltage which is normally in these batteries.
0:29:22 > 0:29:23Yeah!
0:29:26 > 0:29:29He's abandoning the clunky manual levers he's designed
0:29:29 > 0:29:33and, instead, he's building a remote control zoom.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36That is an aerial, a Bluetooth module.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39He turns to electronics expert Ross for help.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43What we're going to do to control it is use this little computer
0:29:43 > 0:29:45called an Arduino.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Together, they write a computer program
0:29:48 > 0:29:52to control the camera's zoom from a phone or a tablet.
0:29:53 > 0:29:58So, then click "Open". Right, you've built an app, Jude.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01So, if we press this, go one way,
0:30:01 > 0:30:04and if we press this, go the other way.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12So, I've been trying to work through the gear ratios.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16Gear design is pretty complex.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22He then plans and 3-D prints new supports,
0:30:22 > 0:30:25gears and casings for the final design.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30BABY CRIES
0:30:30 > 0:30:34So, that is my lovely newborn baby son
0:30:34 > 0:30:37and I've also been managing that project as well,
0:30:37 > 0:30:39with this project.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43And when the build is finished,
0:30:43 > 0:30:46it's time to deliver the final camera design to James.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49How are you feeling about today?
0:30:49 > 0:30:53Er, a little bit apprehensive.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58This is a genuine form of therapeutic pain relief for James.
0:30:58 > 0:30:59It's quite nerve-racking to see
0:30:59 > 0:31:03whether the design fits what he was looking for.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06'If Jude's design works...'
0:31:06 > 0:31:10- Hiya.- Hello, Leslie. - Hey, James.- Hello.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12'..it'll be the first time that photographer James
0:31:12 > 0:31:15'can take a photo unaided in more than two years.'
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Good thanks, you?
0:31:17 > 0:31:20James, somebody's been working very hard for you.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23- Yeah, I can see. - And it's not me, that's for sure.
0:31:23 > 0:31:24He's a little bit nervous.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27There's many things I'd do differently, but I still think
0:31:27 > 0:31:30it's going to really, it's really going to change the game for you.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33- Thanks.- And so I'm excited.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36Let's get it out.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39- I'm very excited to see, aren't you, James?- Yeah.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41- You need to get all out.- Wow. - So, this is the drive unit.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45So, this little board's been designed just for you.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49'This new system will allow James to control the camera
0:31:49 > 0:31:53'from his tablet computer without causing him any pain.'
0:31:53 > 0:31:58- Going to look so cool, Simon. - I am totally with you.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03- I can't wait to see. - It looks like futuristic and techy.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07He's too modest to say. He has created an app for you.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10In the App Store, you have an app, basically.
0:32:10 > 0:32:11- In the App Store?- Yeah.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17James can now zoom, focus and take pictures independently
0:32:17 > 0:32:20through an app especially designed for him, called Zocus.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25We tried to make it so it isn't lots of draggy movements.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- Obviously, your skin doesn't want to have to slide all day.- No.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30That's going to get painful.
0:32:30 > 0:32:31You know when we were out on the shoot,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34- we were running through the battery really fast.- Yeah.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37- The nice thing is you can power this 24/7.- Nice.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39- KENNY:- My gosh, what have we got here?- Look at that.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- It looks so futuristic. - LESLIE:- My goodness, James.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- KENNY:- Does that mean I'm made redundant?- LESLIE:- Thank God, yeah.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47- KENNY:- James, please, please. - Let's hope so.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49- LESLIE:- Thank you.- It's all right.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52- Oh, God, thank you. Thank you so much.- It's OK.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54- You're amazing.- Cheers.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58- Thank you, thank you, thank you. - Are you crying?
0:32:58 > 0:33:02- What are you feeling, Leslie? - I don't know. It's just...
0:33:04 > 0:33:07It's nice to have people taking time out to help
0:33:07 > 0:33:11and he will be able to have his own independence again,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14doing something he loves.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17The thing is, when he's doing his photography,
0:33:17 > 0:33:20his mind does go blank to his pain.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23It feels amazing. It's life changing.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25I can't thank you enough.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28I'm so proud of him but when he's going to be out photographing
0:33:28 > 0:33:30all the type of things he wants to do
0:33:30 > 0:33:33and he comes back and shows me the pictures,
0:33:33 > 0:33:35oh, I can't wait, I really can't wait.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38- It's going to make life so much better. Thank you.- Yeah.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- That's it. He's... - He's off.- It's nice not to be...
0:33:42 > 0:33:46- If you notice, I haven't intervened, pressed any buttons.- No.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48It's just been great.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Yeah, you've done something really, really magnificent.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53It's just amazing to see it working now.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55You know you're doing it for the right reason,
0:33:55 > 0:33:57so you just keep going
0:33:57 > 0:34:00and it goes wrong and you restart it and try again.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06You talked very movingly at one point
0:34:06 > 0:34:08about how you love photography
0:34:08 > 0:34:12- because it gave you a chance to leave a legacy.- Yeah.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Is that what this is going to enable you to do?
0:34:14 > 0:34:17Yeah, yeah, memories, as I've said in the past,
0:34:17 > 0:34:21about my pictures and I want...
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Yeah, I want people to...
0:34:25 > 0:34:28..remember that this is what I enjoyed
0:34:28 > 0:34:32and this is where I found my happiness.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35You can sort of curate what you want other people to remember you by.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39Yeah, definitely. That'll be amazing.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48The team are still on the hunt for an affordable way to bring
0:34:48 > 0:34:5221st-century communication to the village of Staylittle.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00More excitement because I have a Mesh Potato.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Ross thinks he may have found the answer
0:35:02 > 0:35:07to the village's ancient phone lines and almost nonexistent internet.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10It's a piece of kit from South Africa
0:35:10 > 0:35:13with the catchy name of a Mesh Potato.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19When you install one in your house and your neighbours have one too,
0:35:19 > 0:35:21it creates a link between you.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25I'm going to plug it into the wall.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28You can phone and share the internet with them.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Each time someone new installs a Mesh Potato,
0:35:32 > 0:35:33they also join the network.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Before long, there's a communication mesh across the village.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43The Mesh Potato uses the same technology
0:35:43 > 0:35:45as your internet router or Wi-Fi hub at home.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49PHONE RINGS
0:35:49 > 0:35:51Oh, my God!
0:35:51 > 0:35:52Hello?
0:35:54 > 0:35:58It's working! It's actually working! That's so cool!
0:36:00 > 0:36:02I've basically built a phone network.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07But first, Ross and Ryan must persuade the villagers
0:36:07 > 0:36:09to let them install their Potatoes.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13Morning. Good morning, everybody.
0:36:13 > 0:36:18A lot of the kit they're working with is cutting-edge technology.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Ross, why don't you explain?
0:36:20 > 0:36:22The underlying bit of infrastructure is this.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25It's got an amazing name. It's called a Mesh Potato.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27LAUGHTER
0:36:27 > 0:36:30You're not dependent on a telecoms company
0:36:30 > 0:36:32to install it and maintain it.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35You switch it on and it connects
0:36:35 > 0:36:39to any other Mesh Potatoes that it can see.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42In the back of them, they have a port that says "Phone".
0:36:42 > 0:36:45So, I've got one here.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48- Some of us remember those phones. - So, basically...
0:36:48 > 0:36:51- You need to pick it up first, mate. - Yeah, I know.- Good, well done.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54LAUGHTER
0:36:54 > 0:36:57- I pick it up... - Does the dial not turn?
0:36:57 > 0:36:59PHONE RINGS
0:36:59 > 0:37:01- Hey.- Hey, Ryan, how's it going?
0:37:01 > 0:37:04Yeah, I'm cool. How are you doing?
0:37:04 > 0:37:07- Yeah, good.- He's from Canada. - Great to speak to you.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10So, are you willing, then, that we could all connect up
0:37:10 > 0:37:13and phone each other when the landlines went down,
0:37:13 > 0:37:15so that if somebody was ill, they could phone someone?
0:37:15 > 0:37:17That sounds like a brilliant idea to me.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21That's what I was really, really hoping you'd say.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- That's the other question. Does this connect us all together, here?- Yeah.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27What about connecting to the big wide world?
0:37:27 > 0:37:32What we're proposing, as a network that we want to build, can grow.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36It can grow to include people that are further away
0:37:36 > 0:37:40from the village and it can also grow, eventually,
0:37:40 > 0:37:44to places where there is a decent internet connection.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47You're talking about connecting people up within the village
0:37:47 > 0:37:50and then connecting the village up with the outside world.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52- Is that fair to say?- Exactly.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56At this stage, you don't really know what is capable with the kit,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58so you don't know. You're going to try your best but...
0:37:58 > 0:38:00We're going to do some tests tomorrow.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02There are limitations in what we can do.
0:38:04 > 0:38:0618 homes sign up to Ryan and Ross's plan
0:38:06 > 0:38:09to establish a localised phone and internet network.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13We're having fun. This is a fun thing.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16What I love about it is it's so democratic.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19We are literally building a telecommunications company,
0:38:19 > 0:38:21basically, a full telecommunications infrastructure.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23With billing and everything.
0:38:23 > 0:38:28With stuff that you can just buy for tens of pounds. That's amazing.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32How are you going to resolve that really crucial element,
0:38:32 > 0:38:36which is getting the internet into the community?
0:38:36 > 0:38:39We need to find out where around here
0:38:39 > 0:38:43we can get a decent internet connection on the cellular network.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46- And then pipe it, in some way, from there to here.- Yeah.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48To bring the internet to the village,
0:38:48 > 0:38:51just one Mesh Potato needs to be connected
0:38:51 > 0:38:53to a strong cellular internet signal.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57That signal can then be shared with everyone in the network.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01So, we're going on a hunt
0:39:01 > 0:39:04to find the strongest signal in this vast valley.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07So, we've lost the tower.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10This one on Talkmobile lost the tower about...
0:39:10 > 0:39:14Oh, we've got one now. The Vodafone one has a tower again.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16- I have lost all hope.- Really?
0:39:16 > 0:39:19I'm driving through in this thing, up and down.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21I've lost all hope of getting...
0:39:21 > 0:39:23You've just chucked them out the window back there.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25They might as well be back in London.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35The team are back in London, talking through the ideas
0:39:35 > 0:39:39to help Parkinson's patient Emma deal with her tremors.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42Design Director, Creative Director, for goodness' sake,
0:39:42 > 0:39:46and she can't express herself the way that she wants to.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48It must be so difficult.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50I think we all would love to support her
0:39:50 > 0:39:53- and help her maintain that optimism. - Absolutely.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56We live in a very technological age,
0:39:56 > 0:39:58but I still carry a pen and paper with me
0:39:58 > 0:40:01everywhere I go and use it every day.
0:40:01 > 0:40:02'Haiyan has been researching
0:40:02 > 0:40:06'what's on the market already for Parkinson's patients.'
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Have you guys recently seen this project
0:40:08 > 0:40:10where someone's made a spoon?
0:40:10 > 0:40:13It actually counteracts the tremors you get from Parkinson's,
0:40:13 > 0:40:15so the spoon actually vibrates
0:40:15 > 0:40:18in opposition to how your hand might be shaking
0:40:18 > 0:40:20and, therefore, it's steady.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24It applies an opposite force to your tremors.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26- So, it keeps soup on the spoon. - Exactly.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Taking inspiration from the spoon,
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Haiyan goes away to experiment with vibrations.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40So, what I'm doing is I'm making a very rough prototype
0:40:40 > 0:40:43and what this board does is I can connect into it,
0:40:43 > 0:40:48through these wires, these tiny coin cell motors.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50So, these motors will vibrate
0:40:50 > 0:40:54and they're used in your mobile phone to give you that buzz.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59Scientists believe that the brains of Parkinson's patients
0:40:59 > 0:41:01are constantly sending out false signals
0:41:01 > 0:41:03which can make the hands tremor.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Some patients have reduced their tremors
0:41:08 > 0:41:11by distracting the brain with sounds or vibrations,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14a bit like tricking your brain into focussing on something else.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16- Hello.- Hi, I'm Alison. - Hi, Alison, I'm Haiyan.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Haiyan's keen to test the theory
0:41:18 > 0:41:20on a focus group of Parkinson's sufferers.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26I'm Guy. I was diagnosed just over a year ago.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29I was diagnosed just under a year ago.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32I've had Parkinson's for 11 and a half years.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35It makes the challenge difficult for you, I imagine,
0:41:35 > 0:41:38- if everybody's got different symptoms at different stages.- Yeah.
0:41:38 > 0:41:43Anything to help tremors would be wonderful.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47Many say the tremors are the worst aspect of Parkinson's.
0:41:47 > 0:41:52On the page, write your name and also maybe draw like a square box.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54OK, that's not good, is it?
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- GUY SIGHS - God, it gets worse!
0:41:58 > 0:42:01So, the idea is that if you are distracted by the vibration,
0:42:01 > 0:42:05are you able to write better? I don't know. I don't know.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09So, let's try it.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12There are six vibrating motors embedded in the wristband
0:42:12 > 0:42:15and Haiyan can adjust the speed and strength of each one.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21The aim is to find a sweet spot, the right frequency and intensity
0:42:21 > 0:42:24that Haiyan thinks might distract the brain and reduce the tremors.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29It feels quicker. I want to go quicker.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31- Oh, yeah?- I feel more comfortable with it.- Ah.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35But I don't know if the end result is that much better.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37It's affecting something. I don't quite know what's happening.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Something is going on with it.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45- It feels, it feels easier.- Yeah?
0:42:45 > 0:42:48I'm not sure that the result is any different.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54- Is that quite fast now? It feels it.- Yeah.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57Does it feel better or worse? I think it might not be better.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59It's not better, no.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01But then changing the pattern of vibrations
0:43:01 > 0:43:03seems to be having an effect.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14Yes, as Gaynor said, it feels as if you can go a bit faster.
0:43:18 > 0:43:23Do you think it's about changing the rhythm of the vibration?
0:43:23 > 0:43:25It might be changing the rhythm.
0:43:26 > 0:43:30I mean, the pulse would have to be adapted to each person, I presume.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33Right, right, yeah. That's interesting.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37- I think there's certainly potential there.- Yeah.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40I personally think that what this is doing
0:43:40 > 0:43:44is it's short-circuiting whatever feedback loop there is
0:43:44 > 0:43:47between the brain and the hand that's causing the tremors.
0:43:47 > 0:43:51So, it's sort of injecting in there some white noise
0:43:51 > 0:43:54that's causing the brain to stop sending those signals
0:43:54 > 0:43:56to continue with the tremors.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59I mean, that's what I THINK,
0:43:59 > 0:44:02so I mean, it's just really...
0:44:02 > 0:44:05I think I'm onto something, right? I'm onto something.
0:44:11 > 0:44:13Back in Wales, Ryan and Ross are still hunting
0:44:13 > 0:44:15for an internet signal.
0:44:15 > 0:44:17They've taped a router and antennae to the roof of the car
0:44:17 > 0:44:20and are driving around the valley.
0:44:20 > 0:44:22They're trying to sniff out an internet signal
0:44:22 > 0:44:25that's strong enough to beam down to the village of Staylittle.
0:44:30 > 0:44:33We wrote an app last night, here.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37The idea is basically that we sort of drive around
0:44:37 > 0:44:40and, hopefully, we're able to record automatically
0:44:40 > 0:44:42where we got a decent internet connection.
0:44:42 > 0:44:45When it makes a success, the top of the screen will turn green.
0:44:45 > 0:44:49We've got the model here as well so, right now, we're about here.
0:44:50 > 0:44:54Their homemade app will notify them every time they get lucky.
0:44:55 > 0:44:58Ah, hang on.
0:44:58 > 0:44:59I'm getting nothing.
0:44:59 > 0:45:03Oh, I'm getting something, but what that means is the internet here
0:45:03 > 0:45:04is not good enough to do anything.
0:45:04 > 0:45:07No, I agree. So, let's keep going up the hill.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09Nothing, nothing, nothing.
0:45:09 > 0:45:14- Nothing.- Oh, I got success, success. - Success.
0:45:14 > 0:45:15I can see the village.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17Just under a mile outside the village,
0:45:17 > 0:45:21they've hit the jackpot - a very strong cellular internet signal.
0:45:23 > 0:45:25What's really convenient is that we're parked
0:45:25 > 0:45:27right next to a big post so, basically,
0:45:27 > 0:45:30we could stick a base station up here
0:45:30 > 0:45:32that then can bridge between the mesh network
0:45:32 > 0:45:35that we build in Staylittle and the wider internet
0:45:35 > 0:45:38and we can do it with a reasonable bandwidth
0:45:38 > 0:45:41that's good enough to make a phone call out to the regular phone line.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45Man, what a change from yesterday, eh?
0:45:45 > 0:45:48This is it. This is the most important part of the fix.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50If this doesn't work, we might as well go home.
0:45:50 > 0:45:53With the help of a couple of satellite engineers,
0:45:53 > 0:45:56they install kit that will capture the strong signal
0:45:56 > 0:45:59and beam the connection down to the village.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05- It's all yours, guys.- Are we trying to hit...?- I'll show you.
0:46:05 > 0:46:08You see the rooftop just sticking over the top of the hill there?
0:46:08 > 0:46:09That's the community centre.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11- Hello.- Morning.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15Ross starts planting Mesh Potatoes around the village,
0:46:15 > 0:46:17giving each one a unique address, so they're ready to receive
0:46:17 > 0:46:20the internet signal from high up on the hill.
0:46:25 > 0:46:30Signal strength is 100%. It's going to work!
0:46:30 > 0:46:34If I...log in to this IP address...
0:46:36 > 0:46:38Disappointing.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41That's disappointing.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43THUNDER
0:46:43 > 0:46:45As the weather sets in, there's a problem.
0:46:45 > 0:46:48Ross and Ryan have promised the villagers internet and phone
0:46:48 > 0:46:52by the morning, but their connection isn't reaching the village.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55Definitely something wrong with the Mesh Potato.
0:46:55 > 0:46:57I think it got reset while we were configuring it,
0:46:57 > 0:47:00so now it's sort of in la-la land.
0:47:01 > 0:47:02OK...
0:47:03 > 0:47:06One of the transmitters at the top of the post is faulty
0:47:06 > 0:47:08but it's 18 feet off the ground.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13- WALKIE-TALKIE:- 'OK, there's a pointer which is up.'
0:47:13 > 0:47:19Up, as in very high up, so if it's not working we're screwed?
0:47:20 > 0:47:23I can't feel my hands, nothing works,
0:47:23 > 0:47:25I'm cold, it's windy
0:47:25 > 0:47:30and Ross keeps talking to me and he's really happy.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33The sheep is looking at me.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36What do you want? Internet? I'm working on it, all right?
0:47:42 > 0:47:44I don't want to go back up the goddamn ladder.
0:47:52 > 0:47:53Oh...
0:47:57 > 0:47:59- WALKIE-TALKIE:- 'I can't see anything,
0:47:59 > 0:48:01'so I think we've got to pack up.'
0:48:03 > 0:48:05I really don't want to, but OK, I agree.
0:48:07 > 0:48:08It's going to run...
0:48:10 > 0:48:12That's what I've thought this whole time.
0:48:14 > 0:48:18- That's what I've thought this whole time.- And now you don't?- I'm...
0:48:19 > 0:48:20Yeah.
0:48:22 > 0:48:24SHEEP BLEAT
0:48:28 > 0:48:31'The next morning, I join Ross and Ryan for a grand unveiling
0:48:31 > 0:48:34'of Staylittle's cutting-edge communication network,
0:48:34 > 0:48:36'but it's not looking good.'
0:48:37 > 0:48:40So, that is the long-distance connection that's essential.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43- And I'm going to try and get that up right now.- OK, wow.
0:48:44 > 0:48:46'There's a problem in Endaf's barn.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48'The Mesh Potato installed here
0:48:48 > 0:48:51'should receive the internet signal first
0:48:51 > 0:48:52'and then beam it to the houses.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57'If it doesn't, no-one gets the internet.'
0:48:57 > 0:48:59So, your priority now, just to be clear,
0:48:59 > 0:49:02is to talk to the Mesh Potato on the pole.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04That's right.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06OK, so, I've got an IP address clash
0:49:06 > 0:49:08between this and the thing on the pole.
0:49:08 > 0:49:12It's just difficult. It's just really frigging difficult.
0:49:12 > 0:49:13'Go on 12, Ross.'
0:49:13 > 0:49:18Er, copy that. Our NanoStation is on 12.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21- I see you!- 'Seriously?'
0:49:21 > 0:49:22Wicked. Well done, Ryan!
0:49:22 > 0:49:27- What have you done?- I've got Google in the barn.- He's done it!
0:49:27 > 0:49:31- He's just accessed the internet and he's got a web page.- There you go.
0:49:31 > 0:49:35All right, I'm looking for the Wi-Fi. Comes up almost immediately.
0:49:35 > 0:49:38"Palace walls scaled by convicted killer."
0:49:40 > 0:49:42- That's impressive. - That is impressive.
0:49:42 > 0:49:46- This is actually working. - Thanks very much, guys.- OK.
0:49:47 > 0:49:49- Man hugs. - LAUGHTER
0:49:49 > 0:49:53- Hello.- Congratulations. - Congratulations to you as well, man.
0:49:53 > 0:49:57- Nice work, dude.- Well done.- Yay!
0:49:58 > 0:50:02- Right on, man. Yes!- I'd say have a lie-down in the sun...
0:50:02 > 0:50:05- No, we've got work to do.- No, no. - ..but you haven't got time.
0:50:06 > 0:50:08With the system now live,
0:50:08 > 0:50:11Ross and Ryan begin visiting the residents
0:50:11 > 0:50:12to deliver phone lines and the internet.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17- Your phone line here is actually down, right?- Yeah.
0:50:17 > 0:50:19- You haven't been able to call your mum for a couple of days.- No.
0:50:19 > 0:50:22- And this will be the first time you're calling her.- That's right.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24BEEPING
0:50:28 > 0:50:30DIAL TONE
0:50:30 > 0:50:34- 'Hello.'- Hi, Mum. Hello, Mum. It's David.
0:50:34 > 0:50:36No, I'm not ill.
0:50:38 > 0:50:39OK.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41It's top of the world, it's fantastic.
0:50:41 > 0:50:44Over the moon with both of you!
0:50:44 > 0:50:46MUSIC: Call Me by Blondie
0:50:46 > 0:50:48PHONE RINGS
0:50:50 > 0:50:52- Hello.- We're connected.
0:50:52 > 0:50:56- Yeah, loud and clear.- Awesome.- Ooh!
0:50:56 > 0:51:00- There you go, look. Can you see?- Oh, yeah.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04Hello, Marian, this is Nerys here.
0:51:04 > 0:51:07I'm ringing you with a new system
0:51:07 > 0:51:09and it's great, it's working.
0:51:09 > 0:51:13- So, can you see we've got Staylittle Telecom?- Oh, yeah.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15Very impressive, very impressive.
0:51:15 > 0:51:17Hi, Martin.
0:51:17 > 0:51:20- 'Hello!'- Oh! Hooray!
0:51:22 > 0:51:23Been really, really hard.
0:51:23 > 0:51:26It's been a bit scrappy, but it's, fundamentally,
0:51:26 > 0:51:29the key elements are in and working.
0:51:29 > 0:51:35- What's the cost per household? - Er, round about £100 per household.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38- That's not too bad. That's for the kit?- That's just for the kit.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40And what about the ongoing costs?
0:51:40 > 0:51:43It's going to be about £15 or £20 per household per year.
0:51:43 > 0:51:46Wow! That's cheap!
0:51:46 > 0:51:49For an emergency backup phone service
0:51:49 > 0:51:51and basic access to the internet.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55- That's pretty good. - That's astonishing! Group hug.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58THEY LAUGH
0:52:03 > 0:52:07'Back in London, Haiyan is ready to present her final design.
0:52:07 > 0:52:11'She hopes it will help Emma overcome her Parkinson's tremors.'
0:52:13 > 0:52:15I'm excited and nervous for sure.
0:52:17 > 0:52:18What are you nervous about?
0:52:18 > 0:52:22Well, I think I've created something really new
0:52:22 > 0:52:25- and possibly revolutionary.- Wow.
0:52:25 > 0:52:27But I'm not completely sure.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30But is it actually going to work for her?
0:52:30 > 0:52:32That is the big question.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34'As a top graphic designer,
0:52:34 > 0:52:37'Emma's desperate to be able to write and draw again.'
0:52:37 > 0:52:41I'm so glad to have gotten this opportunity to work with you
0:52:41 > 0:52:44and maybe to help you out a little bit. Emma...
0:52:46 > 0:52:48I'm immediately very intrigued.
0:52:48 > 0:52:51I get really shaky when I'm excited or nervous.
0:52:51 > 0:52:54- And now you're both. - I am both, yeah.
0:52:55 > 0:52:59Ah, I don't even know what it is but it's awesome.
0:53:02 > 0:53:05'Haiyan has now incorporated her vibrating wrist technology
0:53:05 > 0:53:07'into a bespoke watch.
0:53:07 > 0:53:09'She's also built an app for Emma
0:53:09 > 0:53:12'which allows her to adjust the settings.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17'This is the first time Emma's used it.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20- Whoa.- Whoa.- Whoa.- Has it started up?
0:53:20 > 0:53:24- Yeah.- I mean, how are you feeling?
0:53:24 > 0:53:26What are you feeling when you're wearing it?
0:53:26 > 0:53:29It's making my hand feel less stiff.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33- Immediately? - I'm actually still tremoring but...
0:53:36 > 0:53:38..my hand feels more relaxed.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40It's kind of distracting it a little bit, I think.
0:53:40 > 0:53:44It feels soothing and...
0:53:44 > 0:53:48I... Sorry, I'm just excited.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50- That's wonderful, isn't it? - Let's try something.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59Jesus Christ...
0:54:00 > 0:54:02Oh, my God!
0:54:09 > 0:54:11Did it just work?
0:54:11 > 0:54:12EMMA SOBS
0:54:12 > 0:54:14Oh, my God!
0:54:16 > 0:54:18I'm almost smudging it cos I'm too excited.
0:54:18 > 0:54:20That's one of the most extraordinary things I've seen.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26It's still doing it a little bit but that's to be expected. Crikey!
0:54:26 > 0:54:29- Emma, you just wrote your name! - I know!- Twice!
0:54:29 > 0:54:32It wasn't a fluke. It wasn't like a first time lucky.
0:54:32 > 0:54:33And I'm so emotional.
0:54:33 > 0:54:35In the middle of the day with minimal medication...
0:54:35 > 0:54:40- When was the last time you were able to do that?- Three years ago, maybe.
0:54:40 > 0:54:41Oh, wow.
0:54:43 > 0:54:45She came up with something that...
0:54:45 > 0:54:48- You can't do THAT!- Yeah, I can.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51EMMA SOBS You just drew a straight line!
0:54:51 > 0:54:54I haven't drawn one of them for a long time.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58- It makes me forget that I have a tremor.- Oh, my God.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14EMMA SOBS
0:55:19 > 0:55:21It's vibrating on your knee now, isn't it?
0:55:21 > 0:55:23THEY LAUGH
0:55:23 > 0:55:27- I'm so glad it worked!- So am I! - THEY LAUGH
0:55:27 > 0:55:29I was so scared about putting my pen on the paper.
0:55:29 > 0:55:31I didn't want to ruin it.
0:55:35 > 0:55:36Look at this!
0:55:42 > 0:55:43Oh, God.
0:55:44 > 0:55:49- Haiyan thought this might help... - By 10%, like 20%.
0:55:49 > 0:55:52This is like... I think this is 80%.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54- I was going to go up to 90.- Jesus!
0:55:54 > 0:55:56- Who are you going to call first? - My mum.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59I've actually just written my name for the first time in ages.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02'I can't believe it! So, what happens now?
0:56:02 > 0:56:06- 'Does she get to keep it?' - Well, yeah! Yeah!
0:56:06 > 0:56:09- Mum, it's called the Emma. - 'Oh, brilliant!'
0:56:09 > 0:56:12It's got my name on it and it comes with interchangeable faces
0:56:12 > 0:56:15and wristbands, so I can change the colour.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17'Has it got sequins?
0:56:17 > 0:56:21'It's the..it's the old Emma! So important.'
0:56:34 > 0:56:36Can't wait.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39'Our team's inventions are already changing lives.
0:56:40 > 0:56:44'James is using his camera to take pictures by himself.
0:56:44 > 0:56:47'To celebrate, we've set up an exhibition
0:56:47 > 0:56:49'for his friends and family.'
0:56:49 > 0:56:53We were with you when you took these photos! We're even IN a photo!
0:56:53 > 0:56:55Everyone loves this one.
0:56:55 > 0:56:57He was just having a conversation with me
0:56:57 > 0:57:00and I just, like, took the picture.
0:57:00 > 0:57:03- How are we all feeling? KENNY:- Great, fantastic!
0:57:03 > 0:57:07- LESLIE:- Yeah, we are. Because all these photos,
0:57:07 > 0:57:11you gave him that. Um, you done it.
0:57:11 > 0:57:14Yeah, I am feeling emotional but I'm not going to cry.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17But, I mean, everyone loves them photos
0:57:17 > 0:57:20and it's only through you, Jude, that he's done it, yeah.
0:57:20 > 0:57:22It's been a real privilege.
0:57:22 > 0:57:26- Thank you so much.- I'm proud to be a part of it with you.
0:57:28 > 0:57:31In Wales, the villagers of Staylittle now have access
0:57:31 > 0:57:34to internet and backup phone lines.
0:57:37 > 0:57:41- So, I have a new device called the Emma.- Excellent.
0:57:43 > 0:57:47And Emma is using her watch to do the job she loves.
0:57:50 > 0:57:52Next time on Big Life Fix,
0:57:52 > 0:57:56can the team help a paralysed man communicate with his wife...
0:57:56 > 0:57:59Horrendous, not having his voice.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02..give a teenage boy the chance to ride a bike
0:58:02 > 0:58:04for the very first time...
0:58:04 > 0:58:08This exercise has really illustrated how difficult it is.
0:58:08 > 0:58:11If you don't fix it, try, try and try again.
0:58:11 > 0:58:16..and design a new technology to help a farmer battling criminals?
0:58:16 > 0:58:19Police don't stand a chance. They've got to catch them red-handed.