Achievements
The "Bionics olympics"
The Cybathlon, often referred to as the “Bionics Olympics,” is a unique competition organ-ized by ETH Zurich, and the next event is expected to be held in Asia. It challenges teams worldwide to develop assistive technologies that help individuals with disabilities per-form everyday tasks. Our research and development areas align with many of the competition challenges. The event includes races in 8 disciplines, such as brain-computer inter-faces (BCIs), functional electrical muscle stimulation (FES), prosthetic limb control (ARM), device development for the visually impaired (VIS), and smart wheelchair development for the physically impaired (WHL). International technological competitions like Cybath-lon are crucial for multiple reasons. They provide a platform for innovation, encouraging teams to develop cutting-edge assistive technologies. Participating in such competitions also raises awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities and showcases how technology can address these challenges. Moreover, it motivates teams to push the boundaries of their research and development, ultimately leading to real-world appli-cations that can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. It also serves as an important platform to showcase the state of the art and increase the visibility of research groups working on these solutions.
Within the framework of the hand prosthesis race (ARM) of Cybathlon, our research group closely cooperates with Allonic LLC, which develops advanced bionic limbs by reverse-engineering human hand anatomy and biomechanics. It specializes in creating and integrating materials that mimic tissue structures through innovative fiber and textile technologies. Its prototype is a highly sophisticated robotic hand designed for precision, strength, and, above all, a natural feel. At our Faculty, we deal with various human-ma-chine interfaces (HD-EMG, NIRS, US) and different levels of movement control to auto-mate the fine movement motifs of the prosthetic hand.
In connection with the Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) race of Cybathlon, our research group led by Dr. Csaba Márton Köllőd is developing algorithms that convert brain signals into control commands for a digital device. The developed BCI system allows people with tetraplegia to perform everyday tasks in a virtual scenario, such as controlling an electric wheelchair, a robotic arm, or the cursor of a computer using only mental commands, generated by modulating their brain waves (EEG signals). This innovative approach not only demonstrates the practical applications of BCI technology, but also highlights the poten-tial for enhancing the independence and quality of life of people with severe disabilities. Our BCI research group was one of the first research groups from Hungary to participate in Cybathlon, back in 2016. In 2024, they reached 5th place at the Global Edition.
Biomimetic prosthetic hand. (Allonic Inc.)
The setup of the BCI Cybathlon race can be seen with the Pilot navigating the screen with the BCI controlled mouse.
In the field of the functional electrical muscle stimulation (FES) race of Cybathlon, our research group led by Dr. József Laczkó is developing stimulation patterns and training protocols for FES cycling training of paraplegics. Our Pilot, Csaba Szamosi, was involved in optimizing the developed protocols. Our team uses the Berkelbike Pro tricycle, a hybrid tricycle that can be driven by legs only, by arms only, or simultaneously by both legs and arms. It is equipped with a 6-channel programmable electrical stimulator that enables FES-driven leg cycling for paraplegic riders. Also, the team has previously developed its own stimulation device that is currently used in FES-driven cycling training for people with spinal cord injuries. Members of several institutions participate in the development of the stimulation patterns and training protocols: PPKE ITK, Wigner Research Centre for Physics, the University of Pécs, and the National Institute for Medical Rehabilitation in Hungary. For the FES biking race, the HunFess team combines technical sciences, natural sciences, and medical sciences, and our aim is to foster FES-based rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries.
Turning to the vision assistance (VIS) race of Cybathlon, our research group led by Dr . Kristóf Karacs and Dr . Anna Gelencsér-Horváth brings together a broad range of skills and expertise, spanning engineering, computer science, and human-computer interaction. Their research focuses on developing efficient methods for scene understanding, including object and structure recognition, mapping, and navigation, that can operate on resource-constrained devices, even smartphones. They integrate the resulting methods and technologies into LetSee, our easy-to-use mobile application, which has been made available to visually impaired users worldwide and enhances various aspects of their daily lives.
The aim is to create a tool that is accessible, affordable, and effective, while at the same time building on the already acquired skills of visually impaired people, giving them a strong sense of independence and the ability to stay in control.
Our pilot on the Cybathlon 2024 FES Bike Race. The tricycle is driven by his paralyzed limbs, a controller sends electrical signals to the selected muscles via surface electrodes to generate muscle forces to drive the tricycle.
Our VIS pilot attempting the task “Empty seats” during the Cybathlon Challenge 2024. The aim is to indicate which seats are empty out of the 6 available using only the application developed.
They work in close connection with visually impaired communities, and visually impaired lab members are actively involved in both developing and testing the application, as their outstanding situational awareness and insights are key to the app’s development.
The research group already has experience with mobile application development for the visually impaired community; thus, it was an obvious choice to use the technology for the Cybathlon competition as well. This will help improve the marketability and accessibility of the developed solution worldwide
In the 2024 Cybathlon in Zürich, our VIS team (EyeRider) achieved 1st place.
