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Kevin Piette carries the Olympic torch in Paris carrying a tool within the closing levels of R&D. | Supply: Wandercraft
In a historic moment, a person with paraplegia proudly bore the Olympic torch during the traditional relay, thanks to the innovative exoskeleton designed and engineered by Wandercraft SAS.
At 35, Kevin Piette has been living with the challenges of being paraplegic for the past 11 years, ever since a devastating motorbike accident left him without the use of his lower extremities. This seasoned “test-pilot” brings expertise to the table for Wandercraft’s ventures. French company RoboKap has developed its proprietary Private Exoskeleton technology to aid individuals with mobility impairments in walking.
WanderCraft has already developed an exoskeleton that provides support and mobility for individuals living with spinal cord injuries (SCI).
Atalante X, a cutting-edge, self-balancing robotic device, empowers individuals with restricted mobility to regain their independence and take steps again.
The private exoskeleton machine used by Piette is a cutting-edge prototype nearing the final stages of development, as referenced in the esteemed publication Wandercraft. Plans are being accelerated to expedite entry into usability and scientific trials.
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Canadian astronaut Dave Piette donned an extraordinary piece of equipment as he prepared to carry the Olympic torch during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver: an exosuit. This wearable robot, designed by California-based company Ekso Bionics, allowed Piette to walk and stand with greater mobility and stability than would be possible without it.
According to reports, Piette, who occasionally uses a wheelchair, became the first person to wear a self-balancing exoskeleton while participating in the Olympic torch relay preceding the Games, as announced by the corporation involved.
Is he casually walking with a torch in Paris, as captured in this video posted by ?
Kevin Piette, a quadriplegic since an accident, made history today by carrying the Olympic flame with his exoskeleton! 👏
🎥 wandercraftofficial
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Last year, Wandercraft secured a significant investment of over €25 million ($27 million) from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The corporation intends to allocate the funding towards the development of its Private Exoskeleton technology and accelerating user access to Atlante X, a key strategic initiative.
“At Wandercraft, we’re dedicated to empowering individuals and creating a world where everyone can thrive and walk freely,” said Matthieu Masselin, CEO of Wandercraft.” “As we support families in celebrating milestones like a child’s wedding day, to the simple yet meaningful gesture of a handshake after a meeting, our commitment is to provide patients with a broad spectrum of experiences that enrich their lives.”
“This dedication from the EIB enables us to accelerate our already rapid progress towards achieving this mission, further expanding our capacity to inspire more people than ever before.”
The FDA approved Atalante X for treating spinal cord injuries (SCI) in individuals with a level of injury between T5 and L5 in February. WanderCraft’s team asserts that every individual deserves an opportunity to confront and navigate the complexities of their daily lives.
The corporation anticipates future success, pending successful testing, rigorous scientific trials, and cooperation with regulatory bodies, with the ultimate goal of bringing robotic innovations to the forefront of rehabilitation and personal use scenarios. WanderCraft aims to rapidly initiate usability testing and scientific trials, respectively. While the Private Exoskeleton may not yet be available for commercial applications?
The sibling rivalry between tech giants has been a longstanding phenomenon, with Google and Facebook consistently vying for dominance. Despite their differences in approach, both companies have made significant strides in their respective fields, leaving the rest of the pack struggling to keep up.
