Stuart Duncan, a single father from Canada, creates a minecraft community for autistic kids

Posted on 23/11/2024

Stuart Duncan ha creato Autcraft, un server dove i bambini autistici – come il suo – possono giocare a Minecraft senza timore di essere emarginati o molestati

@Autcraft/Facebook

This Ontario single dad has turned his love of Minecraft into an unbelievable resource for autistic kids everywhere and their families. So, in 2013, after finding that his son Cameron-so on in the spectrum himself–could hardly ever be free to play on public Minecraft servers due to bullying, Stuart decided to build a dedicated server exclusively for these kids. He called it Autcraft.

The goal was clear: a place where autistic kids could play, safe from the possibility of shut-out or other persecution by others. Autcraft has repeatedly been called a positive, respectful place where kids don’t mistreat other players, and when disputes arise, moderators make peace, rather than punish.

A haven of self-expression and exploration

He wanted kids to have a place where they could be themselves, experiment with the game, and interact with other players without the fear of being bullied—a common occurrence on public servers. The server became an instant success. Within days of opening, about 750 people attempted to join.

Stuart created a community of hundreds of kids

In less than a decade, this server has opened its doors to over 17,000 players in an area which satisfies the intense demand for a safe gaming environment for children with autism. Through Stuart’s passion and perseverance, Autcraft has evolved from a dream to an honest-to-goodness community-those who bond over gameplay also uplift one another in significant ways.

Autcraft is more than a gaming server; it is therapeutic for kids. Free-play and creative building in Minecraft have been proven to aid in communication and social interactions for autistic children. Stuart himself has shared how Minecraft became a bridge of communication to his son, Cameron, which allowed him to step into Cameron’s world and better understand his needs and preferences.

Recognized both by the gaming industry and researchers

Beyond running the server, Stuart Duncan has become an outspoken autism awareness spokesperson. He gives speeches at conferences, writes articles, and continues to fight for the autistic community. Autcraft has even gained recognition from Mojang-the developer of Minecraft-and is now being studied by researchers for its psychological and social benefits for autistic children.

Meanwhile, Stuart is working full-time on this and proves that passion, dedication, and love for a child can make what seemed to be but a simple video game turn into a very useful tool for many.

Kiwee: the compact electric car redefining urban car sharing

Designed to facilitate urban car sharing, Kiwee is the electric mini-car that fits together with other cars in the fleet, allowing space savings and more efficient management

A startup from Lyon has attracted public attention at the Paris Motor Show with an innovative look at urban mobility. The project, called Kiwee, is a compact electric mini-car designed for car sharing. At the first glance, Kiwee may seem like yet another shared vehicle that is already on the market, but its distinctive feature is the ability to connect to other Kiwee vehicles, just like train carriages. This unique feature, besides saving parking space in crowded cities, enables operators to move multiple vehicles at once, considerably managing fleets much more efficiently.

Optimizing car sharing with Kiwee

Kiwee car-sharing focuses its objective on amelioration in the distribution of vehicles across the stations. Linked cars will offer quick and neat repositioning, solving one of the most common problems with car sharing: vehicles left in disorganized or obstructive positions. Moreover, it will be of particular use in areas underserved by public transportation, and it is quite appropriate for rural regions. One charging station can host up to six Kiwee vehicles.

Key features

Kiwee Designed for short trips, the Kiwee has a range of about 37 miles and a top speed of 28 mph, perfectly suitable for local commutes or so-called “last mile” in urban and suburban areas. The project follows in line with eco-sustainability precepts: recyclable materials and a circular production process that aims at minimizing its impact on the environment.

Kiwee is designed for smooth, easy city navigation with a moderate speed and room for two passengers. It boasts 35 cubic feet of cargo space adequate for small luggage, while its compact dimensions (92 inches long, 59 inches wide, and 69 inches tall) make it ideal for tight urban settings. It is also in the process of crowdfunding at WiSEED, and it hopes to start its production by 2026.