Racing with Robots: The Cybathlon's High-Tech Push for Inclusion

Who needs the Paralympics when cutting-edge tech lets bionic athletes race on thoughts alone?

The Cybathlon, happening October 25-27, 2024, in Switzerland, pits "pilots" with physical disabilities against each other, not in physical speed, but in pushing the limits of assistive technology.

These athletes will control exoskeletons, robotic arms, and even avatars through brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), competing to complete everyday tasks — like collecting ice cubes — using only their thoughts.

Unlike the Paralympics, where devices must be passive, the Cybathlon celebrates the synergy between man and machine, focusing on enhancing daily life with tech. Notable challenges include the BCI race, where competitors with quadriplegia guide avatars with brain implants or EEGs, and the FES bike race, where paralyzed competitors cycle using electrical muscle stimulation.

• The event showcases cutting-edge prostheses and BCIs.
• Pilots actively shape the development of these technologies.
• Brain implants, for the first time, are allowed in the competition.

When assistive technology evolves with users at the center, it’s not just about winning — it's about changing lives.

Read the full article on Knowable Magazine.

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