The Cybathlon promotes the development of assistive technology for people with physical disabilities

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2016 · DOI: 10.1186/s12984-016-0157-2 · Published: May 23, 2016

Simple Explanation

The Cybathlon is a championship where people with disabilities compete using advanced assistive devices to perform daily tasks. The competition includes races with powered prostheses, FES bikes, powered wheelchairs, exoskeletons, and brain-computer interfaces. The Cybathlon aims to foster the development of affordable and functional assistive technologies for everyday use.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

People with physical disabilities competing in the Cybathlon

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Current assistive devices often fall short of meeting the needs of people with disabilities, leading to disappointment and rejection.
2
Lack of communication between developers, users, therapists, and clinicians contributes to the rejection of assistive technologies.
3
The Cybathlon provides a platform for collaboration and exchange between stakeholders to improve assistive technology development and adoption.

Research Summary

The Cybathlon is a championship for people with disabilities using assistive devices to compete in tasks of daily life. The event aims to promote the development of affordable and functional assistive technologies. The Cybathlon encourages collaboration between users, developers, and other stakeholders to improve the design and adoption of assistive devices.

Practical Implications

Technology Improvement

The Cybathlon highlights technological deficiencies in current assistive devices, motivating innovation and improvement.

User-Centered Design

The competition emphasizes the importance of user feedback and collaboration in the development process.

Accessibility and Affordability

The long-term goal is to create assistive devices that are both accessible and affordable for a wider range of users.

Study Limitations

1
Current assistive technologies have limitations in functionality and usability.
2
Barriers in public environments hinder the use of assistive technologies.
3
The cost and complexity of advanced assistive devices limit their accessibility.

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