Ian Handford: Peter became first 'human cyborg' and his legacy lives on

Peter Scott became the first person to achieve a Doctorate in Robotic Computing from Imperial College London and even more incredible did not know late in life Peter would choose to become the world's first 'human cyborg'. Born in London on April 19, 1958, and educated at Kings College Wimbledon, he became head boy in the junior school. Peter would eventually achieve a BSc and a PHd in computing science before awarded the first Doctorate in Robotics in 1986. His thesis relates 'a technical and managerial methodology for robotisation: an approach to cost effective introduction robotics technology into industry with particular reference to flexible assembly systems'. As a scientist it must have later seemed prophetic that he had identified the very systems he needed after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2017.

Peter had helped develop new techniques in management consultancy when teaching at London Business School, the Rotterdam School of Management and finally at Hult International School Boston in America. By 1979 he had formed a personal partnership with Francis ne' Morgan and they merged their surnames to Scott-Morgan when entering a civil partnership on December 21, 2005 being the first male couple in England to do this. Then in December 2014 they became one of the first couples in England to convert their partnership into a formal marriage making the date retrospective. Now they were listed as the first gay marriage in England before moving permanently to reside in Torquay.

Peter had published his first book 'The Robotic Revolution' in 1984 and it explained and identified the nature and behaviour of many complex social systems and the inherent risks. In supplying personal techniques (widely accepted by academics, consultants and managers) he gave analysis of the ways in which the world economy and local communities actually behave while seeking ways of resolving problems of addressing global threats. More books were published including 'The Unwritten Rules of the Game - master them, shatter them, and break through the barriers to organisational change' before in 2012 'The Reality of our Global Future - how five unstoppable high-tech will dominate our lives and transform our world'.
Five years later he was diagnosed with having 'amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - (ALS)' and now as an English-American expert in robotics he immediately took the decision to undergo major operations that involved technological innovations to control all his muscles and and organs that were already wasting his body as a result of the ALS disease. He stated he would become the first human 'Cyborg'.
Fictional cyborgs had been around for centuries most now in science fiction stories. Simple technology allows eye-glasses for ageing eyes, controlled arms and legs, and other replacement parts some linked to the brain. But a cyborg using embedded chips or nanobots into the body can enhance every physical and mental faculty using up-to-date technology and multiple computers. They allow a person to bypass many of his natural body systems to extend life robotically. Peter could control his stomach, bladder and feeding issues and even undertook a laryngectomy to be able to avoid saliva potentially entering his lungs. He would also rely on computers for synthetic speech and have a lifelike avatar of his own face to artificially replace human muscles and achieve facial body language. (An Avatar is a graphical representation of the person).
This extra-ordinary man Peter 2.00 actually pushed the boundaries of extending human life, knowing that the Cyborg Epoch of technology would come whether it was welcomed or not. Four years before his death Dr Peter became a Trustee of the Motor Neurone Society while setting up a foundation 'Right to Survive' with his husband. It still campaigns for those afflicted with this disease and offers health guidelines and new technology. Dr Peter died in Torquay aged 64 on June 15t, 2022.

IAN'S COMMENT. A fantastic story of self imposed bravery, who thankfully passed peacefully away surrounded by his family and friends. He remains the worlds first full human cyborg.