Global technology leader Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) and the Scott-Morgan Foundation (SMF), a pioneering non-profit dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities, recently collaborated at the Zero Project Conference in Vienna, Austria, the largest accessibility-focused event in Europe. The conference, held at the United Nations headquarters, brought together approximately 1,500 attendees to explore cutting-edge innovations and foster collaboration in assistive technology.
The collaboration was highlighted by a powerful address to the Austrian Parliament by Erin Taylor, an individual living with ALS, who controlled a hyper-realistic avatar using only her eyes. Taylor’s avatar, brought to life through technology with an interface developed by Lenovo and running on a ThinkPad x12 detachable tablet, advocated for an AI-empowered future co-designed with the individuals who need it most.
“It was a privilege to bring our vision of Smarter technology for all to Zero Project, where such brilliant innovators and advocates share our commitment to inclusion,” said Calvin Crosslin, President of the Lenovo Foundation and VP of human resources. “We took the opportunity to exchange ideas, show our own assistive tech solutions, and see how AI is already transforming lives.”
Lenovo’s involvement at ZeroCon, a first for the company, was spearheaded by SMF leadership. The collaboration included convening accessibility experts, hosting insightful panels, and exploring new partnerships to leverage Lenovo’s extensive technology expertise and end-to-end AI portfolio.
“Erin’s call to action in Austria’s historic Parliament—to ensure digital rights become human rights—is a powerful reminder of technology’s potential when developed thoughtfully and inclusively,” stated LaVonne Roberts, CEO of SMF United States. “Our work with Lenovo exemplifies this approach – combining our foundation’s expertise in lived experience with their technological capabilities to create solutions that are more effective, more accessible, and more sustainable than any single organization could build alone.”
The technology showcased by Taylor builds upon a multi-year collaboration between Lenovo and SMF, initially debuted at Lenovo Tech World in October 2024. The integrated solution leverages AI-driven technologies including a custom avatar from D-ID, personalized voices from ElevenLabs, and eye-gaze tracking from IRISBOND. Lenovo’s role included developing the user interface and providing devices for global testing and refinement.
Lenovo’s commitment to inclusive design is further embodied by its Product Diversity Office (PDO), which ensures products are reviewed for compliance, accessibility, and consideration of diverse global users. Ada Lopez, who leads the PDO and attended the conference, shared guidance on evaluating and scaling accessible technologies globally.
“Truly, we go beyond compliance to establish a culture of inclusive design, where accessibility is part of the foundation of our innovation,” said Lopez. “The Zero Project conference was an incredible showcase for what’s possible, certainly, but it also made clear how much we can gain by listening and collaborating across organizations.”
Looking ahead, the collaboration between Lenovo and SMF continues to expand, with explorations into integrations with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) leader Smartbox. Following the Zero Project Conference, Lenovo executives also engaged with employees in Bratislava, Slovakia, to further cultivate a culture of inclusion within the company.
