Exoskeletons at the first Zurich Cybathlon

On October 8, paraplegics will compete in the Cybathlon in Zurich. With the help of exoskeletons, they will compete against each other in an obstacle course and show the public how far technology has come in this area.

Switzerland, as a know-how country, plays an important role in this. Many exoskeletons contain components from the canton of Obwalden, without which not much would happen.

From Mars to the exoskeleton
Robotic suits must be strong and yet very light. Because too much weight drains the battery in no time at all. That poses a challenge for developers. Most motors powerful enough to move an exoskeleton are large and heavy. That's why engineers are turning to the Swiss company that already developed the motors for NASA's Mars rovers: Maxon Motor. Maxon's drives are strong, lightweight and energy-efficient, so they conserve batteries. And they are quiet as well as durable.

"Over the decades, we have perfected our motors," says Maxon CEO Eugen Elmiger. A lot has been invested in research and development. But it has paid off: Today, motors from Switzerland are everywhere: in robots, airplanes, cars and medical devices.

Knowledge gives you a market advantage
But just as important as quality products is technical support for customers. Small companies and start-ups often approach Maxon with a specific problem in the drive sector because they lack the specific knowledge. Maxon Motor, on the other hand, can help out with a wealth of experience and thus also stand out from the competition from abroad. "Our knowledge and advice are our big advantage in the market," says Elmiger. And that is also evident at the Cybathlon. In the case of exoskeletons, for example, the Swiss company now knows well what matters in addition to the right choice of motors. And so many teams taking part have installed Swiss products. This also applies to the other disciplines, such as prosthetic arms and legs and electric wheelchairs.

Source: Maxon Motor