Wedding hazing

A paralyzed husband from Shenzhen, China, is using technology to regain his mobility after losing it in 2020.

With motivation from his wife, 33-year-old Wang Ning gradually regained his ability to stand and walk through rehabilitation, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

In 2022, Wang started learning artificial intelligence and brain-computer interface technology through books and online resources, according to CCTV News.

In April, the couple competed in a hackathon challenge, developing a Artificial Intelligenceprototype brain-controlled wheelchair within 48 hours, SCMP reported. Their prototype ultimately won first prize in the hardware category, including a 50,000-yuan cash award.

At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai last month, Wang’s improved wheelchair was showcased. Aside from being directed by the user’s mind to move in any direction, it can also operate lights, cameras and air conditioners.

Meanwhile, a court in Ruyang County, Henan province, China, has ruled on a damages suit filed by a 20-year-old woman surnamed Zhang against her friend, Li, and others for causing her disability during the latter’s wedding on 4 October 2023.

The court ordered Li and nine other respondents to pay her a total of 230,000 yuan.

Li invited Zhang to be one of the bridesmaids at the wedding, where part of the ceremony was the traditional wedding hazing, or hun nao in Chinese, which was intended to create a fun atmosphere and drive away evil spirits, SCMP reported.

The groomsmen tossed Zhang into the air using a bedsheet and caught her with it. On the second toss, however, the 10 groomsmen holding the bedsheet failed to catch Zhang, who crashed to the floor and suffered a spinal fracture.

The following year, Zhang, who had already been officially declared disabled, sued Li and all the groomsmen.

The court found the couple responsible for Zhang’s injury because they, as the wedding organizers, were aware of the wedding hazing but failed to stop the activity in time, according to SCMP.