Together with his longtime friend Jochen Schwarzmann, Jens Wehrmann developed the Sari app. It's an application that helps people diagnosed with ALS communicate more quickly and naturally. The idea didn't originate from a business plan, but from a personal experience.
Pitch & People Episodes
PITCH & PEOPLE Episode 22: Sari App
From two friends and a radical idea
Wehrmann and Schwarzmann have known each other for over 25 years. Together they produce the podcast Digitacheles KI, in which they have been discussing, philosophizing about, and experimenting with artificial intelligence for the past five years. From these experiments emerged an idea that goes far beyond mere tech gimmicks: to restore the ability to communicate to people who can no longer speak. Jens Wehrmann, founder of Mobile Software AG explained in Pitch & People Videocast:
"We have combined all these features that are possible with AI today into one app and said, this is exactly what a patient needs."
ALS: When the body falls silent, but the mind remains clear
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a degenerative neurological disease. The nerves can no longer control the muscles, and the muscles atrophy. Those affected gradually lose the ability to control their bodies, including speech. However, their mental and cognitive abilities remain unaffected. The mind is clear. Thoughts are present. Only the body no longer cooperates.
In Germany, approximately 10,000 people live with ALS. Life expectancy after diagnosis is usually three to five years. There is currently no cure or effective treatment option.
From Stephen Hawking to AI-powered communication
When it comes to ALS, one name almost always comes up: Stephen Hawking. He was the most prominent person with this disease. At the same time, he was an exceptional case. While life expectancy is usually only a few years, Hawking had a rare form of the disease with a significantly longer life expectancy. Jochen Schwarzmann also has this rare form of the disease.
Technologically, Hawking was ahead of his time. Nevertheless, communication was extremely laborious for him. He needed about a second per input, focusing his eyes on a single letter and holding it still. He assembled words character by character. A normal sentence took a long time. A spontaneous conversation at everyday speed was hardly possible.
This is precisely where Sari comes in. Not with the fundamental possibility of communication, but with speed, naturalness, and the ability to engage in dialogue.
From letters to intentions
Today's standard for communication aids is eye-tracking devices, where letters are selected one by one. This is a huge step forward and a vital lifeline in everyday life. But progress remains slow.
Sari goes a step further. The app listens in on conversations, understands the context, and makes predictions about what the user might say next. Currently, the system suggests five complete sentences from which the user can choose using eye tracking. Wehrmann adds:
"Basically, we are using technology to create a shortcut so that those affected don't have to painstakingly select each individual letter with their eyes."
The app was developed in about eight months and is now live. It wasn't developed using a traditional large team, but rather with the help of AI systems. A setback was part of the process. A nearly finished version worked in the browser, but wasn't stable on the iPad. The consequence: scrap everything, start over, and switch to a different programming language. A step that would be almost unthinkable in traditional projects. In this case, it only took a few days. For Wehrmann, this is more than just a technical insight. It's a shift in perspective on how we approach innovation.
A moment that says it all
How does a person with ALS react when they use the app for the first time and are suddenly able to participate in a conversation again?
"The first reaction I witnessed was laughter. Just laughter. A deep, inner laughter. A mixture of joy, disbelief, and emotion."
Currently, Sari is a completely pro bono project. Around 100 people are using the app in its early stages. Many are testing it, providing feedback, and contributing new perspectives. There is close collaboration with neurologists, ALS clinics, and other stakeholders involved in the disease. A traditional business model does not yet exist. The focus is on functionality and impact.
For their commitment, Wehrmann and Schwarzmann were awarded the Hertie Prize for Commitment and Self-Help.
