Portrait photo CYBATHLON Team

EXO / Exoskeleton Race

VariLeg enhanced 2

SwitzerlandSwitzerland

About the Team

VariLeg enhanced is more than a walking device for paraplegics. “Our goal is to realize an innovative and functional racing exoskeleton”, explains professor Christian Bermes who leads the project. This program had been launched by EHT and HSR Rapperswil after CYBATHLON 2016. 15 students from different fields are devoting two semesters to further develop the exoskeleton in close cooperation with the two pilots. "We wanted to become lighter and have more power in the drives, that's what distinguishes us," explains Christian who is also the team manager. “In addition, the gait trajectory was adapted to comfortably compensate for the unevenness of the obstacles on the CYBATHLON course. The exoskeleton is personalized to our two pilots, so they can control it independently. Their feedback and close cooperation are helpful and central to us." Will the two pilots with the racing exoskeleton really be faster than the others? CYBATHLON will tell.

About the Pilot

"I am glad to be able to do something so special again and to take part in a competition," Rolf Schoch says. His passion was motocross until an accident stopped him: “I had a fall during a race and since then I have a complete paralysis from the thoracic vertebra TH 5", explains the truck mechanic. In his free time he likes to do sports and take care of technical devices. Rolf is enthusiastic about CYBATHLON and being part of the team: "I feel that the team lives for this moment, from all of us there is a lot of heart and soul in it!”

Videos

November 13th 2020, 12:00 am

VariLeg enhanced 2 - Team Portrait

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