Kevin Piette, 35, has been paraplegic since a motorcycle accident 11 years ago, according to Le Parisien. He works for Wandercraft, the company that built what it calls a Personal Exoskeleton that could help disabled people walk.
Wandercraft already offers the FDA-cleared Atalante X exoskeleton for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Atalante X, a self-balancing robotic exoskeleton, enables those with limited mobility to stand up and walk again.
The Personal Exoskeleton device used by Piette is a prototype in the final stages of R&D. According to a spokesperson, the company plans to enter into usability and clinical trials soon.
Piette, who uses a wheelchair, became the first user of a self-balancing exoskeleton to walk in the Olympic torch relay, the company said.
He can be seen walking with the torch in Paris on this video, shared by Le Média Positif on X (formerly Twitter).
🇫🇷 Kevin Piette, paraplégique depuis un accident, est entré dans l’histoire aujourd’hui en portant la flamme olympique avec son exosquelette ! 👏
🎥 wandercraftofficialpic.twitter.com/HTy5MrYE6Z
— Le Média Positif 🍀 (@LMPositif) July 23, 2024
