Charles Bara: Countdown to CYBATHLON 2024

Preparations for the CYBATHLON’s Third Edition are almost complete. Here, Charles Bara, CYBATHLON’s Marketing and Communications Manager, tells us what we can expect from the competition, both in the stadium and beyond, and why CYBATHLON is so much more than just a competition.

Hi Charles! Tell us, what have you got in store for digital audiences at CYBATHLON’s Third Edition?

We have a new live page that centralises all the event content, making it easier for viewers to access live streams, competition updates, key moments, live results and social media.

This interactive hub provides real-time insights and exclusive behind-the-scenes content throughout the event. We have also enhanced our website to improve user experience and accessibility. Improvements include streamlined navigation, a better mobile experience and ensuring that all content is accessible to users with disabilities.

And what about social media?

We’re creating more dynamic and interactive content such as behind-the-scenes footage, stories about our pilots, the latest and most innovative assistive technologies that teams will demonstrate at CYBATHLON 2024, teams’ ground-breaking research, their interviews and training, and real-time updates.

Platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter) are pivotal in building a global community around CYBATHLON.

You've recently had an article published in IEEE Xplore - can you tell us a bit more about that?

It’s called “CYBATHLON 2024 The Third Edition: What’s New and What’s Different?”, and it focuses on the significant advances in assistive technologies that the 80 teams will be showcasing at CYBATHLON 2024 across 8 different disciplines.

The article provides an in-depth preview of the upcoming CYBATHLON 2024 event and looks at key developments since the 2016 and 2020 editions.

What's the biggest difference between CYBATHLON 2016 and 2024?

The most significant difference between CYBATHLON 2016 and CYBATHLON 2024 is the event's growing scale and complexity. In 2024, we've introduced new disciplines like the Vision Assistance Race and Assistance Robot Race, which is a testament to the rapid advancements in these areas.

The shift to a global multihub format is another major change, enabling teams from around the world to compete simultaneously from their local hubs, making the event more inclusive and accessible. Additionally, the integration of AI and machine learning into assistive devices sets CYBATHLON 2024 apart, demonstrating the remarkable progress made in supporting people with disabilities.

What new innovations can we expect to see at CYBATHLON 2024?

CYBATHLON 2024 will showcase groundbreaking innovations, particularly in the Vision Assistance, Exoskeleton, Wheelchair, and Assistance Robot races. These technologies are engineered to empower people with severe motor impairments by offering intelligent solutions that enhance their independence and autonomy.

We’ll see cutting-edge innovations that push the boundaries of assistive technology. AI and machine learning are being incorporated into devices, enabling more intuitive and responsive interactions between the technology and its users in disciplines like brain-computer interfaces. This includes advances in wearable systems that can anticipate a user's next move in real time, providing support that closely mirrors natural human motion.

The introduction of two new disciplines—the Vision Assistance Race and the Assistance Robot Race—further highlights these innovations. In the Vision Assistance Race, we’ll see state-of-the-art technologies like intelligent canes, designed to help visually impaired people navigate their surroundings more effectively. The Assistance Robot Race will feature robots that help people with limited motor skills perform everyday tasks, showcasing the practical applications of robotics in enhancing independence.

These innovations reinforce CYBATHLON’s role as a platform for pioneering and displaying the latest advancements in assistive technology, all aimed at making a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

Tell us about the multihub format and where teams are competing from this year.

The multihub format is one of the most exciting developments for CYBATHLON 2024. Teams will compete from various international hubs, across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. This approach enhances accessibility and gives the competition a global perspective.

Unlike previous editions where all teams competed in a single location, the 2024 event will adopt a decentralised approach, allowing teams to compete from hubs across the globe. This format reduces travel challenges, particularly for participants with disabilities.

Each hub will be connected through a centralised broadcast system. A team in South Korea or Thailand can compete in the same race as a team in Switzerland, with both being judged under the same conditions.

Tell us a bit about the support programme and the educational work that we'll see in 2024.

We’ve organised workshops, interactive exhibits, hands-on demos, and presentations that offer participants and audiences the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge innovations.

The support programme will feature presentations and live demos of arm prostheses, wheelchairs, assistance robots, brain-computer interfaces, and exoskeletons, brought to you by our partners and well-wishers, including maxon, Swiss Paraplegic Foundation, Cerebral, Scewo, EKZ, Supernatural, and Plusport.

Additionally, CYBATHLON teams will host exhibitions on Leg Prostheses by Circleg and Vision Assistance technologies by Sight Guide.

One of the highlights of the support programme is the CYBATHLON @school poster contest. The @school project organised a poster campaign for school children in Switzerland, with 17 schools participating and submitting more than 130 posters on innovative and creative prostheses. These creative and forward-thinking posters, viewed through the eyes of school children, will be on display for the audience to enjoy.

What's your favourite thing about CYBATHLON? 

How it seamlessly incorporates technology with human resilience, creating a platform where innovation meets real-world challenges.

Watching teams from across the globe come together to develop and demonstrate assistive technologies that empower people with disabilities is incredibly inspiring.

The event highlights the potential of assistive devices in everyday tasks. Witnessing the determination and creativity of both the teams and the pilots as they tackle these challenges is amazing.

The sense of community, the collective drive towards greater inclusion, and the real impact we see on participants’ lives make CYBATHLON something truly special. It’s not just about winning; it’s about advancing innovations that have the power to change the world.

–

Do you want to see these incredible innovations in action? Join us for CYBATHLON 2024 at the Swiss Arena, Kloten from 25 - 27 October: https://cybathlon.ethz.ch/en/cybathlon-2024/ticketing