AI-powered robotic exoskeleton enables paraplegic athlete carry Olympic flame

For the first time, an athlete using a robotic exoskeleton has carried the Olympic flame. Kevin Piette, a French para-athlete, carried the flame in front of the Temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on Tuesday.

Around 11 years ago, an accident left the French tennis star paraplegic. But he returned to the game as a para-athlete.

Now, a clip of the para-Olympic tennis star is going viral on social media platforms, amassing millions of views.

Para-Olympic Tennis star used robotic exoskeleton

In the video, the para-athlete is seen using a robotic exoskeleton to walk while carrying the Olympic flame.

As one of the initial testers, he has contributed to its improvement, even taking part in “cybathlons,” which are competitions where people with disabilities use assistive technologies to perform everyday activities .

Currently used in rehabilitation, a personalized version of the exoskeleton is being developed at present to enable greater independence at home.

Exoskeleton pilot for Wandercraft

Piette became an exoskeleton pilot for Wandercraft, a company that originated in Paris but now maintains its headquarters in New York.

The company claims that it is the developer of the world’s first self-stabilizing walking exoskeleton.

Wandercraft offers the Personal Exoskeleton, which is designed to enable people with walking impairments to stand up and walk again.

Personal Exoskeleton

Wandercraft said that the exoskeleton is designed to provide a new mobility solution to address the complex long-term physical and mental needs of mobility-impaired users and provide them with greater liberty.

The Personal Exoskeleton builds upon engineering and robotic breakthrough innovations already integrated into Wandercraft’s Atalante X exoskeleton, the world’s first self-stabilizing walking exoskeleton for rehabilitation support.

Atalante X

Atalante X emulates human walking, provides hands-free multi-directional locomotion, and is currently utilized in rehabilitation hospitals and walking centers across the USA, Europe, and Brazil, according to Wandercraft .

“Our studies have shown that with as little as 4-6 hours per week of exoskeletal-assisted walking, there can be improvements in health and well-being,” said Dr. Ann M. Spungen, VA Senior Research Health Scientist, Director, Spinal Cord Damage Research Center, earlier.

Atalante X leverages its innovative self-balancing feature to enable multitasking by carrying out lower limb, posture, balance and upper limb reinforcement exercises in a safe upright position.

“Driving innovative solutions that support the walking impaired community is constantly at the forefront of our minds at Wandercraft,” said Matthieu Masselin, CEO of Wandercraft, earlier.

“We want a future where people with walking impairments have a new option to vastly improve their independence, inclusion and health. Today’s exclusive unveiling of our groundbreaking innovation in robotics engineering is a key moment where we will provide a rare glimpse into the future of mobility.”