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| source:watchmojo.com |
CYBORGS [PART V]
The previous posts 👉Cyborg [part 1] , Cyborg [part 2] , Cyborg [part 3], Cyborg [part 4]
I am sure that the readers are already bored with this Cyborg stuffs. Well, bear me for a couple of weeks more ;)
This week I am gonna write about "Cyborg Olympics" or "Cybathlon"
You have heard of Olympics and Paralympics, but did you know there is a sports event exclusively for Cyborgs? That is "Cybathlon" .
It began recently; just 4 years back. In 2016, first Cybathlon took place in Switzerland ,organized by Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich. Cybathlon is the world's first sports event for the physically disabled people with bionic assists.
Cybathlon is a different event because it's not only strength or physique here,but also technology plays an important role.
Robert Riener, the founder of Cybathlon got this idea in 2013. The intention of the competition was to promote the development and widespread use of bionic technology or bionic prostheses.
Both Paralympics and Cybathlon are for physically differently able persons, then what's the difference? The difference is the participants of Paralympics use a extra assistance which is normal and unpowered whereas the participants of Cybathlon uses Bionic prostheses which are powered by energy source which has the capability of enhancing their performance. Paralympics is based on individual physique and strength whereas in Cybathlon, the technology used in any bionic part plays a major role.
The participants are expected to take part in a team. A team always consists of a 'pilot' , the one who is physically disabled and participating in the competition using bionic prostheses [ simply a Cyborg]
and technology provider [ may be a university or a company]. They work together in any competition.
The participants at Cybathlon are permitted to use "powered exoskeleton".
Powered exoskeleton has different names like power armor, hardsuit, exoframe, powered suit, exosuit etc. It is a machine which is wearable and powered by a system of levers, hydraulics, electric motors or any other technology supporting the limb movement with increased strength and motion.
The one that the athletes use in Paralympics can be called as 'Passive exoskeleton'. They are not powered by any motors, levers etc.
Just like Olympics, Paralympics even Cybathlon has different disciplines. They are
- Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) race.
- Functional electrical stimulation (FES) bike race.
- Powered Arm Prosthesis race.
- Powered leg Prosthesis race.
- Powered exoskeleton race
- Powered wheel chair race.
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| source: extremetech.com |
These are the disciplines for the participants.
Among the participants, only 25% will be from some companies,. Others (75%) will be from research laboratories.
In Brain-Computer Interface race, the pilot needs to control an avatar through BCI. They need to cross the obstacles in a virtual gaming environment.
The aim of this is to control devices like wheel chairs for people with limited ability to move.
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| source: extremetech.com |
Two pilots start at a point on two lanes and have to move to the inner lanes without threatening the other pilot. In 2016, they needed to complete 5 lanes of 750m each.
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| Recumbent bicycle source: Radinnovations |
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| FES bike race source:Cybathlon |
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| FES bike race course source:Cybathlon |
Powered Arm Prosthesis Race: In this race, pilots using an arm prosthesis on one or both sides can compete. The prosthesis has to include the wrist and can be navigated with any kind of control. [source: Wikipedia ] This race is to motivate people who have lost limbs by any cause to use bionic prosthesis. Also, to encourage the cyborgs to come with innovative solutions for day to day challenges in their life. Therefore a variety of daily tasks are kept in this discipline. They include cutting fruits, screwing in of light bulb, hammering nail into wooden board etc. They test the motor abilities and gripping by prosthesis in this discipline.
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| source: Cybathlon |
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| Graphical overview of the task involved in Powered Arm Prosthesis Race source: Cybathlon Powered Leg Prosthesis Race: In this race, pilots using a leg prosthesis on one or both sides, including a knee joint, have to perform various movements. They can use any kind of 'active'/ powered or passive prosthetic device. [source : Wikipedia ] Pilots with amputations above knee can participate. The intention is to enable the cyborgs to come up with the innovative solutions for day to day task. Therefore, the race involves tasks like getting up from a sofa, climbing stairs, slopes etc.   Graphical Overview of race course source: Cybathlon Powered exoskeleton race: Persons with spinal cord injury can take part. This wearable enables them to move, walk around etc. Pilots suffering from paralysis of leg due to spinal injury can take part. Tasks involved are the day to day activities including movements like climbing staircase etc.   Graphical overview of the race track source: Cybathlon Powered Wheelchair Race: The person with severe walking disability and using a powered wheel chair can participate. The wheelchairs feature novel technologies to overcome obstacles such as stairs or doors. [source : Wikipedia] These wheel chairs can be controlled by touch pad or joystick or any other technology. The race course involves the day to day requirement for the wheelchair users. It involves doorways, narrow paths etc. The intention also involves adaption of the wheel chair to different land terrains like plains, grassy land, slopes etc.  source:Cybathlon  Graphical overview of the powered wheelchair race track source: Cybathlon These are the several disciplines in Cybathlon. The video links of different races are given below, 1. BCI race The winners list of 2016 Cybathlon in various disciplines are given below [ source : Wikipedia ]
Just like Olympics, Paralympics, Cybathlon is organized for every four years. The first Cyborg Olympics/ Cybathlon took place in 2016. Second Cybathlon was scheduled in 2020 in Switzerland, but now temporarily suspended due to Covid causes. Cybathlon 2020 have the same disciplines but the difficulty of tasks has been increased and many new tasks are introduced along. The organizers are hopeful of conducting the event once there is a relief from the global pandemic. Some more information in the upcoming weeks. Subscribe to not miss a post. |
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