Cybathlon - the Olympics of Brain Computer Interfaces, man and machine work together

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich’s Robert Reiner was one of the key figures to
initiate the Cybathlon in 2016. The Cybathlon is a unique event in the development of every-
day assistive devices in which people living with various disabilities compete while using the
latest developments. There are six disciplines from advanced wheelchairs to FES cycling. Florian
Haufe, a PhD candidate in Dr. Reiner’s lab, fills us in a little more about this premiere event and
what the expect in the 2020 competition.

Takeaways:
1. Showcase of technology for people with disabilities in the spirit of competitive sport.
2. Competitive challenges center around tasks for people with physical impairments in
every-day life and the use of assistive technology.

[0:00] Ladan introduces the episode and joins the conversation with Florian Haufe and Jen
French at RehabWeek 2019.
[1:16] Haufe tells about how he became involved in the Cybathlon and what the event is about.
[2:09} Discussion of the different competitive disciplines at the event and the tasks in the
competition highlighted the exoskeleton discipline.
[3:31] Haufe explains the scoring technique for the disciplines.
[3:51] Haufe further describes the initial event that took place in Zurich in 2016 with
competitors from academia and industry. There were 6 disciplines and over 5000 attendees.
[5:40] What makes up the team is the pilot or end user/athlete along with a technical team that
can range from students to licensed engineers to hobbyists.
[7:10] Haufe describes the overall goal of the event. Giving people with impairments a platform
for the use of assistive devices in the spirit of competition, allow technology developers to
show what their latest inventions can do and increase public awareness are the goals of the
event.
[9:24} Here are the details about the 2020 event and how to get involved. Go to
https://cybathlon.ethz.ch/cybathlon-2020.html