The CYBATHLON Wheelchair Series Japan 2019 was held on Sunday, May 5 at Culttz Kawasaki, and saw the participation of eight teams including those from Russia, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. The "FORTISSISSIMO" CYBATHLON team from the Keio University Faculty of Science and Technology, who were participating in the CYBATHLON for the first time, achieved a commendable showing in third place behind HSR Enhanced (Switzerland) in first place and Caterwil (Russia) in second place, after coming through the two morning and afternoon qualifiers to advance to the third-place play-off.
The CYBATHLON is a unique undertaking centered around international competitive tournaments in which people with physical disabilities cooperate with developers of cutting-edge technologies to negotiate everyday tasks. The CYBATHLON is comprised of the following six disciplines, with the current round Powered Wheelchair Race series taking place in Japan. While the pilot who operates the powered wheelchair is disabled, there is no direct relationship between the CYBATHLON and the Olympics or Paralympics.
- ・Brain Computer Interface
- ・Functional Electrical Stimulation bike
- ・Powered Arm Prosthesis Race
- ・Powered Leg Prosthesis Race
- ・Powered Exoskeleton Race
- ・Powered Wheelchair Race
The CYBATHLON Wheelchair Series Japan 2019 was a competition for total points obtained by completing the six challenges below within the designated time limit (8 minutes). This is not a competition of speed, and the time taken to reach the goal is only taken into account when teams obtain the same number of points.
- ・Table (101 points): Approach the table to the left and insert legs underneath until both thighs are partially covered without upsetting the table.
- ・Slalom (102 points): Weave between pieces of furniture without upsetting the furniture.
- ・Bumpy road (108 points): Traverse a bumpy road.
- ・Stairs (115 points): Climb up and down stairs, temporarily stopping the wheelchair when climbing down.
- ・Sloping surfaces (104 points): Navigate over slopes on different road surfaces comprised of materials such as wood covered in sand or artificial lawn.
- ・Door (130 points): Open and close doors using technology equipped with an external operational source such as a robot arm.