Technical support for everyday tasks
On the eve of Weltklasse Zürich pole vault show at Zurich Main Station and two days prior to the Weltklasse Zürich meeting at Letzigrund Stadium, people with disabilities and the world of science took centre stage at the station’s ticket hall. Competitors – or pilots – lined up for competitions in which they had to master tasks relevant to everyday life with the help of assistive technology.
The competition consisted of various disciplines. Pilots were equipped with prosthetic arms, prosthetic legs, motor-operated wheelchairs, or robotic exoskeletons (devices that help paraplegic pilots walk). Tasks included putting on a jumper and hanging out laundry with a prosthetic arm, climbing stairs with a prosthetic leg while carrying removal crates, park a wheelchair at table without touching the table top, as well as sitting down and getting up with the support of an exoskeleton. All pilots were accompanied by members of the ETHZ team of developers and by “spotters” who made sure that the pilots were safe at all times. These volunteers were not allowed to assist them with the tasks, however.
Long jumper Benjamin Gföhler impressed by performances
Long jumper Benjamin Gföhler was among those cheering the Cybathlon pilots. He was impressed by the performance of both the competing pilots and assistive technology. Gföhler had to end his own season early because of an injury. He will therefore not be able to compete at Weltklasse Zürich. Instead he took out time to attend the Cybathlon show. “It is incredible how the pilots handle their disabilities,” he said. “And how their teams support them. My own team is considerably smaller.“
Athletics was represented at the Cybathlon by a para-athlete: Sofia Gonzalez, who will compete in the 100m at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in November, was one of the pilots navigating the Cybathlon course with her prosthetic leg.
