Sport and Technology to Take Centre Stage
The company behind the world’s first hands free robotic exoskeleton (REX) will be among the guest speakers at a technology and sports symposium in Louth on 24th February.
Steve Toon and Tom Priestley from REX Bionics will be demonstrating the REX and speaking about robot-assisted physiotherapy at the Technology for Sports Performance & Active Health event organised by onlincolnshire in partnership with University of Lincoln’s School of Sport and Exercise Science.
REX is the world’s first hands-free, self-supporting, independently controlled robotic walking device and is aimed at helping wheelchair users to stand and walk again.
Cllr Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at Lincolnshire County Council said it will put the county on the map: “To be hosting this type of event is a real coup for Lincolnshire and recognises the level of expertise in sports science and biomechanics we are lucky enough to have in the county, at the University of Lincoln.
“It also highlights the state-of-the-art technology and expert support and advice which are available to businesses as well as professional athletes and organisations at the five Lincolnshire Technology Hubs.”
Steve from Rex Bionics will be joined by a number of other expert speakers including Ross Tarnowski, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the RAF Rugby Union team and Michael Poole from the University of Lincoln who will be accompanied by world-ranked para-cyclist Liz McTernan.
Liz has been working with the University of Lincoln and onlincolnshire’s Louth and Lincoln Technology Hubs to optimise her performance.
Using the very high-speed 3D video cameras at the Louth hub, the university’s sport and exercise science team have been able to film Liz in action and then analyse the footage in minute detail.
By studying the footage and using the 3D scanner at the Lincoln Technology Hub, the team has been able to develop modifications to Liz’s race bike to improve her performance.
As well as hearing from guest speakers, delegates at the symposium on 24th February will be able to try out some of the most advanced technology available including an Adidas miCoach Smart Ball that analyses your kick in real time and a Neptune waterproof MP3 player that uses bone conduction to transmit sound through the cheekbones directly into the inner ear.
Biomechanics Research Assistant at the University of Lincoln Franky Mulloy said: “Technology is playing an increasingly important role in all industries including sport. The university and onlincolnshire have organised this event to highlight how technology is transforming performance in both professional and recreational sport as well as in the active healthcare sector.
“We’re delighted to have secured some top-class speakers who are leaders in the world of sports technology and will give a fascinating insight into what is available now and what could be possible in the future.”
Athletes, coaches, active healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists and anyone with an interest in sport is welcome to attend the Technology for Sports Performance Active Health Symposium at the Louth Technology Hub but booking is essential. To find out more visit onlincolnshire.org/events or call Freephone 0300 80 80 120
For more information about onlincolnshire, a Lincolnshire County Council-run project which is part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund, please visit http://www.onlincolnshire.org
