S17 · E39

Cybathlon

Click comes from Zurich and reports from the very first Cybathlon. The Cybathlon is a sporting competition featuring only disabled participants who compete using advanced assistive devices including robotic prosthesis, brain-computer interfaces and powered exoskeletons. In essence it is an Olympics for bionic athletes. The competition features six disciplines - a Functional Electrical Stimulation bike race, a Powered Leg Prosthesis Race, a Powered Wheelchair Race, a Powered Exoskeleton Race, a Powered Arm Prosthesis Race, and a computerised race for competitors with paralysis using brain-computer interfaces to compete in a computer game (BCI Race). The competitors, known as 'pilots', can use both commercially available bionic technology and lab-developed prototypes. Medals will be awarded to both the athletes themselves and to the companies or institutions that create their bionics.