PREVIEW

At the Swiss Arena in Kloten, Switzerland people with robotic and computerised marvels that help them in their daily lives competed in the third Cybathlon from 24 to 27 October 2024.

A total of 67 teams from 24 countries showcased their assistive technologies, the culmination of years of preparation, with the aim of creating a world without barriers.

By advancing assistive tech for people with physical disabilities and fostering dialogue with society, Cybathlon seeks to bridge the gap in accessibility.

Competitors optimised assistive systems, such as arm and leg prostheses, wheelchairs, and navigation tools for the visually impaired, for real-world application. 6,000 spectators attended in person, while another 15,500 followed online or through regional hubs.

Cybathlon 2024 saw participation from nine Swiss teams, as well as teams from Europe, Asia, and Africa also travelled to Zurich to compete. Ten teams also competed virtually from hubs in the US, Canada, Hungary, Korea, Thailand, and South Africa, turning the event into a truly global occasion.

Around 15,500 viewers worldwide tuned in virtually to witness the competition.
The event featured eight unique disciplines, with pilots competing in events such as a thought-controlled virtual race, a bicycle race using electrical muscle stimulation, and various obstacle courses for those with prosthetic limbs, robotic exoskeletons, and motorised wheelchairs. This year, two new disciplines were introduced: an obstacle course for vision-assistive technologies and an Assistant Robot Race.

These additions highlighted the wide range of solutions teams brought forward, including robotic arms mounted on wheelchairs and even a robotic guide dog. In the Vision Assistance Race, teams presented innovations such as a chest harness with kinaesthetic feedback, an intelligent cane for the blind, and a special smartphone app.

Samuel Kunz, competing for the second time, completed the course with a four-legged robot. “I really enjoy taking part in the Cybathlon because I can push myself, compete with others, and achieve something together as a team,” he shared. “I am particularly pleased that there are no losers in this competition: Every participation advances research and brings us one step closer to an improved life for many people.”

“The Cybathlon impressively demonstrated how important it is to have people at the centre of technology development,” said Robert Riener, Cybathlon’s initiator and ETH Zurich professor. “We create the best technological solutions when we incorporate the needs of users into the development of assistive technologies right from the start.”

Anni Kern, Cybathlon co-director, echoed this sentiment, noting, “Each time, what really moves me is the camaraderie at the Cybathlon. This positive impetus not only enables us to drive technological development forward, but also to draw attention to the needs of people with disabilities.”

Cybathlon 2024 marks the final competition to be hosted in Switzerland for the foreseeable future. It’s anticipated that the next Cybathlon will take place in Asia in four years.