Kevin Piette Carried the Olympic Torch Via a Robotic Exoskeleton

Kevin Piette, a paraplegic athlete, made history by carrying the Olympic torch in an exoskeleton during the Paris Olympics. Piette’s hands-free walk demonstrated technical innovation, showing off the merging of sports and technology.

The exoskeleton developed by French engineering company Wandercraft is a wearable robotic suit that enables Piette to overcome his mobility limitations while carrying the Olympic torch. By carrying the torch, Piette demonstrated to those with disabilities that obstacles can be overcome with determination and innovation.

In spite of an accident that left him paraplegic 11 years ago, Piette, 36, has persisted as a para-athlete competing in tennis. As one of the first testers of the exoskeleton, Piette has contributed to its improvement, even taking part in cybathlons—competitions in which people with disabilities use assistive technologies to carry out everyday activities.

Image courtesy of Wandercraft

Wandercraft's self-balancing exoskeleton recently received its second FDA clearance. The exoskeleton is now available in the US for rehabilitation patients with spinal cord injuries. The FDA clearance is supported by safety and effectiveness data of Atalante X in patients with SCI at levels T5-L5 and has been evaluated in more than 500 patients, including clinical trials and real-world evidence.

Related:Saint-Gobain Designs a 3D-Printed Skatepark for the Paris Olympics

The FDA’s previous clearance of Atalante X for cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in December 2022 combines with the recent unveiling of the company’s Personal Exoskeleton designed to one day replace the wheelchair. The FDA clearance validates the potential of Wandercraft’s technology and its potential in the global medical device market.