Moving People and Technology
CYBATHLON, a non-profit project of ETH Zurich, acts as a platform that challenges teams from all over the world to develop assistive technologies suitable for everyday use with and for people with disabilities. The driving force behind CYBATHLON is international competitions and events, in which teams consisting of technology developers from universities, companies or NGOs and a person with disabilities tackle various everyday tasks with their latest assistive technologies. The participants with physical disabilities show how to tie shoelaces with a robotic arm prosthesis, balance on rocks with a prosthetic leg or overcome uneven terrain with an exoskeleton.
On the road to 2024, two more disciplines will be added to the original six: a race with smart visual assistance technologies for people with severe visual impairment and a race with assistance robots for people with severe impairment of the upper and lower extremities.
The next CYBATHLON Edition will take place from 25 to 27 October 2024.
Innovation and Dialogue as the Goal
Through CYBATHLON, ETH Zurich demonstrates what research and development mean for society. Since the idea was born in 2013, more than 100 teams from over 30 countries have taken part in CYBATHLON competitions. Observed and cheered on by thousands of spectators in the stadium and around the world, in recent years the development teams have shown which obstacles people with disabilities face in their everyday lives and how technology can contribute to overcoming these barriers. As a platform, CYBATHLON connects society, research and development and people with disabilities in an emotional, positive, and unique way.
CYBATHLON aims to constantly analyse what is already in existence and to create new, forward-looking event formats and projects – for a world without barriers.
