"Switzerland to host the first Cybathlon, an Olympics for bionic athletes"

[TopWargamer]

http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/26/5551180/switzerland-to-host-the-first-cybathlon-an-olympics-for-bionic

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvKHrDXvUsM

 

A coalition of Swiss robotics labs has announced the Cybathlon, the first-ever international competition for athletes who use prosthetics and other aids, will be held in October of 2016.

 

The competition is modeled after the Olympics and will feature six events: a bike race, leg race, wheelchair race, exoskeleton race, arm prosthetics race, and Brain Computer Interface race for competitors with full paralysis. The National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Robotics is hosting the competition to spur interest in emerging human-oriented robotics technologies.

 

Unlike the Olympics, where athletes can use prosthetics only to make themselves as good as able-bodied athletes and not better, Cybathlon competitors are encouraged to use the best technology. Dual prizes will be awarded, one to the athlete and one to the company that created the prosthetic, device, or software.

 

Notes

-Cybathlon will be held in Switzerland on October of 2016

-Hosted by the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR)

-Includes six events: bike race, leg race, wheelchair race, exoskeleton race, arm prosthetics race, and brain interface race

-Cybathlon competitors are encouraged to use the best technology available

-Prizes will be awarded to both the winner of each competition and the maker of said technology that helped the person win

 

I'm not gonna lie, this sounds really cool. People who have to use prosthetic limbs will now be on complete even ground. And just saying, but a Brain Interface Race!? All my what, that sounds awesome! We'll have to wait until 2016 for this to go down, but still, Brain Interface Race, that sounds really interesting to me.

[MasterJV]

Awesome. Now this I will watch

[techswede]

I am soo watching the exoskeleton race!

[Sack]

You have to notice that it's a "leg race", not legs, but leg... how is that gonna unfold

[TheNinjaNextDor]

I need the brain interface thing.