Artificial muscles make marathon possible

MyoSwiss is a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH). With the MyoSuit, the company has created a suit for people with mobility impairments. This exomuscle combines robotic and textile technology. It is an added layer of muscle that provides strength and stability. The suit is also able to decipher complex processes in the nervous system, so that the wearers can decide for themselves how they move and where they want to go. Thanks to the MyoSuit, activities such as climbing stairs, getting up from a chair or tackling longer distances become possible again for people with mobility limitations.

Now, the MyoSuit is enabling Lorenz Schwärzler and Michael Hagmann to take part in this year’s Zurich Marathon, it was reported in a press release. Michael Hagmann suffers from muscular dystrophy and Lorenz Schwärzler is a partial paraplegic. Both were support by a physiotherapist in their training with the MyoSuit, which included strength, endurance and balance exercises as well as walks outside.