In a collaboration with researchers at Intel, Stephen Hawking’s ability to communicate and perform common tasks has been improved. The chipmaker announced that the recent upgrades have increased Hawking’s typing speed while letting him complete common tasks, including web surfing, documents, and e-mails.

A team was assigned to improve Hawking’s sensors, computers, and software that enables him to communicate with the world. Intel is announcing availability of free software at its London event in an effort to help over 3 million people globally who suffer from motor-neuron disease, such as Hawking, and quadriplegia.

Following worsening of his symptoms, which has made it harder to communicate, Hawking asked Intel for help upgrading his system. The physicist became increasingly frustrated with the technology he has been using for decades.

Horst Haussecker, director of Intel’s Computational Imaging Lab, said in a statement, “First thing, he’s very sensitive to people changing things in his setup.” He continued, “He’s almost allergic to people forcing tech on him. If you try to install anything he doesn’t like, he’ll kick you out the door.”

Haussecker explained that the team wanted to know what Hawking desired before starting work on new technology. Over two years later, he is now using his cheek sensor to type twice as fast and is at least 10 times faster performing common tasks such as editing documents and web browsing.

According to the ALS Association, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.