When Bob could no longer speak after an accident caused by non-aneurysmal brain injury, we saw how painful the loss of communication is and how existing speech computers fall short. They were slow, impersonal, and did not take the context of conversations into account.
About Lifechaingers
We are Lifechaingers. We stand for human well-being through AI technology: AI for good. With Bobbai, we bring daily joy back to conversations for people for whom communication is not a given. Lifechaingers was born from a personal experience that changed Bob's life and ours.
From Personal Story to Innovative Solution
Driven to give Bob back his voice, speaking pace, and connection with friends, Jelmer searched his network for a better solution and teamed up with Daniël. Daniël has worked with AI for over ten years. With a linguist as a spouse and a speech therapist as a mother, he also brings deep knowledge of language development and speech therapy. From this combination of AI technology, linguistics, and speech therapy, they developed the first version of Bobbai: an AI application that understands the context of a conversation and helps users respond faster.
Jelmer van der Weide, founder
Bobbai was built in co-creation with clients and healthcare professionals: grounded in real-world practice, using the latest AI knowledge, to provide people like Bob with a solution that truly works.
Daniël Smidt, founder
With my technical background, I was surprised by the level of existing solutions. The user and their loved ones have to work incredibly hard, while so much more is possible. With Bobbai, we shift much of the work to the technology, creating space for people and their interactions.
Antal van Kolck, founder
During a trial session, it remains impressive when someone with severe communication challenges and their loved one truly reconnect in conversation and that person can express themselves again. That deep human recognition is special and brings great joy.
The success of this first prototype marked the birth of Lifechaingers. What started with Bob's request for help and the involvement of Jelmer and Daniël grew into a broader ambition. With the addition of Antal, an experienced entrepreneur, the initial solution for Bob became a driven mission: to make Bobbai a robust and accessible product for more people facing communication challenges.
As a founding team, we share core values such as passion, openness, sustainability, and AI for good. Lifechaingers applies advanced technology for the healthcare of the future: human-centered innovation and intelligent software that help restore autonomy and human connection.
Today, Bobbai helps people with NAH, aphasia, ALS, MS, and other communication difficulties reconnect in conversations with loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Every day, we witness how communication can change lives—always with a smile and sometimes with a tear. That motivates us to keep going.
Our mission
Enabling human connection
We use innovative and inclusive communication technology to enable human connection for people facing communication challenges. We consciously choose AI for good. Impact and connection come first.
Help give people their conversation back
At Lifechaingers, we believe in human well-being through connection, attention, understanding, and empathy, enhanced by AI. Want to contribute to this mission, for yourself, a loved one, or someone in your environment? Here's how you can help.
1
Sharing helps
Follow us and share our posts with people who need this support. Together, we build a community and highlight the importance of appropriate communication support.
2
Get to know Bobbai
Attend a webinar or open morning. We’ll show Bobbai and together, without obligation, see if the solution fits you or your group.
View activities 3
Start a pilot together
Do you work at a healthcare organization and want to run a pilot with us? Contact us. Several healthcare institutions have already joined.
View pilot optionsMeet the People Behind Bobbai
Three complementary founders with one shared mission: to give people their conversation back.
Connect directly with the founders of Lifechaingers via LinkedIn.
Driven by impact
Our team combines expertise in speech technology, healthcare, and entrepreneurship, enhanced by AI.
Bob
Inspiration & user experience
Bob's personal experience with communication challenges is the foundation of everything we do. He ensures we never forget who we are creating this for.
Can we help you? Discover what Bobbai can do for you during a webinar or open morning, with no obligation.
The Team
Speech Therapy & AI
Our developers, AI specialists, and speech therapy experts collaborate to create speech technology that makes conversations more natural and accessible.
Care Partners
Speech Therapy & Rehabilitation
We work closely with speech therapists, rehabilitation centers, and healthcare professionals to ensure Bobbai fits practical needs and truly helps people.
Would you like to explore together what Bobbai can mean for your organization and clients?