The 2024 Paralympic Games being held in Paris, France came to an end this past weekend, September 8, after eleven days of spectacular sporting performances.
A celebration of human strength, perseverance, courage, and the power of sport, the Paralympic Games have been held for sixty-four years now.
It was after World War II that the Paralympic Games were first formed, although sports for impaired athletes have been in existence for over a century now. With the war leaving veterans and civilians severely injured, organized sports for para-athletes and those with impairments were set up to assist them following the war.
Sir Ludwig Guttmann organized the first competitive games for athletes with impairments at Stoke Mandeville, a spinal injuries center established by the British Government after World War II. Known for his innovative practices, Guttmann used sport in rehabilitation, which then evolved into a wheelchair sports competition.
The competition then evolved into an annual Games event, with the first competitive game in 1948 coinciding with the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympic Games, marking the beginning of what would later become the Paralympic movement.
However, it wasn’t until over a decade later that the informal games became official. The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960, featuring 400 athletes from 23 countries. The term “Paralympics” meanwhile was officially used in Tokyo in 1964, and in 1988, both the Paralympic and Olympic Games ran side by side and were held in the same venue. This also led to the creation of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
Over the past many decades, the Paralympic Games have become extremely popular, with the latest Paralympics edition featuring 4,400 athletes from more than 160 countries competing in 549 medal events across 22 sports. Also, the games now welcome ten different impairment types, growing far beyond just those with spinal cord injuries.
The Paralympic Games now aim to enable para-athletes to “achieve sporting excellence and inspire and excite the world.”
In this celebration of the athletic achievements of those historically stigmatized, technology has played an important role in leveling the playing field for athletes with impairments. A surge in innovation has helped enhance athletes’ performance, redefine the boundaries of human potential, and challenge societal norms.
Advanced Tech at Paralympics
Now, let’s take a look at some of the most innovative and advanced technologies, designed for performance and inclusivity, used by Paralympians in the competition to push the boundaries of speed, power, and endurance.
Advanced Prosthetics
Millions of people worldwide are currently living with limb loss, and to pursue active, independent lifestyles, they need durable, high-functioning prostheses. Over the past decade, prosthetic technology has seen incredible advancements, and at the Paris Paralympics, we get to see them in all their glory.
Interestingly, until recently, athletes competed in the Paralympic Games using their everyday prostheses, but now we are seeing a significant shift. Companies are now designing specialized prostheses specifically to enhance athletic performance.
For instance, Iceland-headquartered Össur has created running limbs called ‘Cheetah Xpanse,’ which help athletes achieve faster speeds, improve pushing power, and provide better impact absorption during landing. The company works individually with athletes to test and improve their devices before they reach the Paralympic stage.
Modern prosthetics, such as bionic limbs, use advanced robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to mimic natural limb movement, revolutionizing track and field events by providing unparalleled flexibility and strength. Equipped with sensors that connect to the athlete’s muscles and nerves, these prosthetics allow for real-time responsiveness.
Then there are blade runners, designed for athletes with lower-limb amputations. Companies are using lightweight and impact-resistant materials like carbon fiber to create advanced running blades. These blades store and release energy, mimicking the spring action of a human foot, giving athletes increased speed and mobility.
Innovations in materials, customized fits, and intuitive interfaces between body and machine have further revolutionized the way Para athletes can run long distances, offering better control and unparalleled comfort.
Smart Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs have been a prominent feature at this Paralympics, with Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Fencing, and Wheelchair Basketball all part of the competition. For each sport, wheelchairs are adapted to fit the demands of the sports and the needs of the competitors. These wheelchairs are highly customized to not just fit the athlete’s body but also optimize their speed and performance.
For instance, in racing, three-wheeled chairs are used for used for a more streamlined design. By incorporating aerodynamic designs and lightweight materials like carbon fiber, wheelchair racing has taken a leap forward this time around. Meanwhile, rugby chairs are built with aluminum to withstand heavy impact.
Companies are also utilizing 3D printing technology to create custom-fitted wheelchairs and prosthetics that provide improved comfort for athletes, leading to better comfort and enhanced performance. This technology also allows for rapid prototyping, flexibility in design, and cost-effectiveness over traditional manufacturing processes.
Sensors and AI are also being used in wheelchairs to enhance maneuverability and safety of the athlete. These wheelchairs can adjust automatically to different surfaces, improving control and reducing strain on the athlete.
China, with its smart wheelchairs, high-tech prosthetics, and other advanced equipment, topped the 17th Paralympic Games with 94 gold medals by “helping athletes with disabilities enhance their performance and improve their daily rehabilitation training,” said Luo Chaofan, a rehabilitation therapist from the National Health Commission.
Specialized Bikes
In paralympic cycling, we have seen specialized equipment tailored to individual needs, ranging from tandem bikes for visually impaired riders and handcycles for those with lower-limb impairments. The US cycling team meanwhile has been developing more cost-efficient aero designs.
Source: International Paralympic Committee
While previously the focus was on establishing “an even playing field,” countries around the world are now focusing on finding more sophisticated technologies to help their athletes be better than anyone else. As Ian Lawless, the director of the US Paralympics Cycling, said, they’re working to “gain a competitive advantage.”
Toyota, which is known for its four-wheeled automotives, created a one-of-a-kind hand cycle for the Paralympic torchbearer and cycling champion from the US, Oksana Masters. The Toyota Racing Development engineered the handcycle to maximize the performance and comfort of the rider. This handcycle from the car company features a carbon monocoque frame design with numerous aero optimizations. The bike has an Eagle XX1 12-speed drivetrain, while steering is handled by a pivot system beneath the chainset and controlled from the handlebars.
Then there’s Swiss athlete Flurina Rigling, who competed in the cycling events with 3D-printed shoes.
While explaining that unlike regular shoes, 3D printer shoes are lighter and produced comparatively quickly, Rigling said:
“This innovation helps me enormously.”
Exoskeletons
In a special incident, French para-athlete Kevin Piette used a robotic exoskeleton developed by the local engineering company Wandercraft to carry the Olympic flame. The wearable robotic suit enabled Piette to overcome his mobility limitations.
Athletes with limited or no use of their lower limbs engage in sports using these exoskeletons. The technology, driven by AI, sensors, and robotics, is also used in rehabilitation to enhance muscle strength and movement coordination.
Recently, Chinese startup Dnsys created X1, an AI-powered, motorized all-terrain exoskeleton that straps to your waist and thighs to enhance the wearer’s natural abilities with an impressive 900 watts of power.
With “enormous potential to improve human locomotive performance,” the exoskeleton bridges the gap between simulation and reality by enabling autonomous control of wearable robots.
Researchers at Clemson University are currently advancing exoskeleton technology with exoskeleton racer Adam Gorlitsky, who holds world records for the fastest marathon and half-marathon in a robotic walking device. His goal is to get the sport (exoskeleton racing) included in the Paralympics as well as collegiate adaptive sport.
Sensory and Assistive Technologies
Assistive technology covers products, systems, and services that support individuals with disabilities. In Paralympic sports, this includes everything from ‘low tech’ solutions to highly advanced equipment used by athletes.
For athletes with visual impairments, new technologies utilize cameras, sensors, and auditory feedback to help them better understand their environment during competition. Similarly, tactile feedback devices are being used for individuals with prosthetics to provide a sense of touch.
Wearable sensor technology further allows Paralympians to leverage the power of data. Access to real-time performance metrics enables coaches and athletes to make informed decisions and hone their competitive strategies to increase their chances of winning the competition.
For instance, in swimming, devices like the TritonWear system provide in-depth stroke and turn data within moments of leaving the pool.
More Engaging Experience for Fans & Audience
Advanced technology isn’t limited to just athletes but has also been extended to the audience. When consuming sports content, spectators with visual or auditory impairments face unique challenges.
So, for people with visual impairments, the official Game app provides audio descriptions while subtitles and sign language tools are offered to people with hearing impairment. High-contrast visuals further enhance the Paralympic experience for the audience.
At Paris 2024, a low-vision helmet was also introduced to enable viewers to zoom in on the action. There are even touch tablet-sensitive tablets that allow spectators to experience the sensations of the Games through a vibration system. These products and services are designed to enhance the viewing experience for fans with disabilities.
Here, virtual reality (VR) can also be utilized as a powerful tool for both the athletes and the fans. While Paralympians like Para Alpine skier Adam Hall use this technology for their training, organizations like the IPC employ them for education and entertainment.
This technology can provide a unique, engaging and inclusive experience through specially curated VR content, which allows fans to not just witness but experience first-hand the challenges of Paralympians.
AI is also being utilized to deliver an interactive experience, as seen with Intel, which collaborated with Samsung at the Stade de France to showcase its AI-powered fan engagement platform that makes people feel like they’re part of it all.
“We’ve seen fans from all over the world discover their inner athlete through this technology.”
– Nuri Cankaya, VP of AI Marketing at Intel
Global Disparities in Accessing Innovation
As we have seen, a lot of innovation and development is happening worldwide, allowing athletes with impairment to improve their performance significantly and emerge victorious.
“The Paralympics show us what is possible and the important role that assistive technology plays for these extraordinary athletes.”
– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General
However, there is a global inequality in accessing such technology, primarily due to their high costs and limited availability. Other issues include challenges in creating universal design standards and the uneven distribution of technology that creates a competitive imbalance.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, limited access to assistive technology affects over 2.5 billion people. For instance, only 10% of the hearing aid demand is met, while 5-35% of those needing a wheelchair have access to one.
So, the WHO ran a campaign with the motto ‘Equipped for equity’ to raise awareness and address the critical issue of global disparities in access to life-changing assistive technology.
Nations around the world are now also taking initiatives and implementing policies to include assistive technology in primary health care and give their citizens access to such devices. For instance, Zimbabwe introduced a tax exemption for these products. Similar initiatives have been taken in Japan and France.
Companies Helping Advance the Tech
Several companies are innovating in the field of prosthetics, assistive, and wearable technologies to help with rehabilitation and mobility. So, let’s take a look at a couple of them:
#1. Samsung
Samsung is involved in the assistive technology space through wearable technology, VR, and AI. For instance, Samsung’s smartwatches come equipped with biometric sensors and health monitoring features that can be used by athletes and nonathletes to track their vital stats, performance metrics, and rehabilitation progress. The company has also collaborated with IPC to create immersive VR experiences, providing spectators with an engaging platform and helping athletes in training.
At the Paralympics Games, Samsung Electronics provided all the participating athletes with its Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition smartphones to enrich their experience. The smartphone comes with Galaxy AI-powered features like real-time translation and Bixby Vision, which features a Scene Describer, Object Identifier, Text Reader, and Color Detector.
The $330 bln market cap company has its shares currently trading at $1,238, down 17.36% YTD. For Q2 of 2024, the company posted $53.45 bln in revenue driven by strong AI demand and favorable memory market conditions.
#2. Ekso Bionics Holdings
With a market cap of $25 million, EKSO shares are currently trading at $1.16, down 53.6% while having an EPS (TTM) of -0.79 and a P/E (TTM) of -1.47. In Q2 2024, the company recorded revenues of $5 million, sold 37 EksoHealth devices, and achieved a gross margin of 53%.
Most recently, the California-headquartered company that engineers commercial wearable exoskeletons and robotic-assist devices for medical and industrial markets announced a $6 million underwritten public offering. The net proceeds from this offering will be utilized for the growth and expansion of the EksoHealth segment as it works to increase its revenue.
Ekso Bionics designs and develops exoskeleton products for both able-bodied individuals and those with physical impairments. Its products include a wearable robotic exoskeleton called EksoNR and the spring-powered Ekso EVO, which supports natural movement. Additionally, there’s Ekso Indego Therapy for lower limbs, offering adjustable modularity, wireless controls, and feedback to ensure constant communication. Meanwhile, Ekso Indego Personal is an exoskeleton that features a modular quick-connect design, allowing it to be put on and taken off without assistance.
Conclusion
Every four years, the Paralympic Games shine a spotlight on the importance of determination, inspiration, and courage fueled by technological advancements like prosthetics, exoskeletons, and sensors that remove physical limitations and inculcate a sense of freedom and achievement.
As Andrew Parsons, President of the IPC, states, The Paralympic Games put persons with disabilities front and center, and “these technologies allow them to redefine what is possible in sports and inspire millions around the world.”
The integration of technology into the Paralympics has proved to be life-altering, empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve what was once unimaginable. But it’s not limited to sports. With this kind of technology, the idea is to change what is considered normal and changing societal norms.
In the future, as the technology progresses, extraordinary will become the new normal, and that will open doors to opportunities that were once beyond the reach of people with impairment, ultimately transforming lives.
Click here to learn all about the disruptive tech that was prevalent at the Olympic Games 2024.
