The BCIT MAKE+ CYBATHLON Team, led by team pilot Dr. Jaimie Borisoff, Director of BCIT MAKE+ and former Canada Research Chair in Rehabilitation Engineering Design, has won gold medal in the Wheelchair Race category of the 2024 CYBATHLON, held in Zurich, Switzerland on October 26 and 27.
The CYBATHLON is an international competition that draws 100 teams from 30 countries around the world to tackle everyday challenges using innovative assistive technologies. The BCIT MAKE+ team competed against elite teams from around the world and delivered a flawless performance. They scored a perfect 100 points in the finals and became the only Canadian team to secure a gold medal at the 2024 CYBATHLON.
In the qualifying round, BCIT quickly established itself as a frontrunner, completing all 10 obstacles with precision in just 7 minutes and 7 seconds. In the final round, the team set a new record, finishing all 10 tasks in an astounding 6 minutes and 17 seconds—well under the 8-minute limit. The curved staircase posed an especially tough challenge, yet the BCIT MAKE+ team was the only one to successfully complete it.
“It’s all about innovation. Innovation for practical reasons and innovation for life,” explains Dr. Jaimie Borisoff. “Winning gold at CYBATHLON is incredible, but the real victory is what this technology represents, opening doors for people who use wheelchairs. This is innovation that empowers people to do more and live fully.”
Watch the BCIT MAKE+ team during their final competition at CYBATHLON, as well as some behind-the-scenes footage of their journey from Canada to winning gold in Switzerland.
A groundbreaking wheelchair with transformative potential
The exceptional performance of The BEAST underscores the transformative potential of these technologies in enhancing daily life for wheelchair users. The wheelchair race demanded that competitors navigate complex, real-world obstacles, including steep inclines, narrow pathways, and uneven terrain. In response, the BCIT MAKE+ team engineered a groundbreaking wheelchair system that excelled in all 10 tasks, such as picking up bottles, operating doors, and tackling the curved staircase. Nicknamed “The BEAST” (BCIT Extending Articulating wheelchair for Serious Terrains) the team’s high-performance wheelchair was developed in just six months, a feat that required intense engineering, testing, and training.
The winning BCIT MAKE+ Team
Dr. Jaimie Borisoff is the pilot lead on the BCIT MAKE+ CYBATHLON Team, alongside Garrett Kryt, MAKE+ Project Leader and BCIT alum, who is the team leader.
The team exemplifies the impact of interdisciplinary collaboration, combining the skills of students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners to solve real-world challenges through technology. Their success not only showcases BCIT’s leadership in applied research – creating practical solutions that benefit industry, healthcare, and communities – but also highlights Canada’s expanding applied research capabilities in driving innovations that have the potential to transform lives worldwide.
“This achievement is a powerful testament to the impact of applied research on changing lives and BCIT’s significant contributions on the global stage,” says Dr. Kim Dotto, Dean of Applied Research and Centre for Applied Research and Innovation at BCIT. “The hard work, ingenuity, and commitment of our team embody the essence of BCIT applied research – creating real-world solutions that truly make a difference.”
The wheelchair race at CYBATHLON challenges teams to navigate real-life obstacles, including steep ramps, uneven surfaces, and narrow passages, pushing the boundaries of assistive technology design. The BEAST’s top performance underscored its exceptional adaptability and innovation, driven by BCIT’s applied research expertise and commitment to advancing assistive technology.
Congratulations to the BCIT MAKE+ CYBATHLON Team – Dr. Jaimie Borisoff, Garrett Kryt, Rory Dougall, Joe Newton, and Ethan Stiller. Special thanks to the Canada Foundation for Innovation and BC Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF) for providing funding to support the development of the BEAST, which is part of a larger project to create advanced wheelchair technologies in efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Learn more about BCIT MAKE+ CYBATHLON Team and the BEAST.
About BCIT MAKE+
MAKE+ makes lives better through creative solutions driven by interdisciplinary applied research. By collaborating with local stakeholders, including industry, academic institutions, and students, MAKE+ develops groundbreaking technologies that make a real difference, enhancing lives and elevating British Columbia’s global competitiveness.
As the sole academic applied research group in Canada operating under the ISO 13485 (Medical Devices) Quality Management System, MAKE+ ensures a rigorous product development process. This includes thorough reviews, risk assessments, and meticulous records management, guaranteeing the best outcomes for their partners. This user-focused innovation model leads to safe, effective, and market-ready products that enhance lives worldwide.
The group’s diverse research team excels in evaluation, ergonomic assessments, health, consumer and industrial technology development, automation, and electronics, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to every project. Learn more about MAKE+ and their innovative work.
(Photo credit: ETH Zurich / Cybathlon)
Note to media:
Media assets available for download:
- High-resolution photos from the Wheelchair Category of the 2024 CYBATHLON
- Video of BCIT MAKE+ Team competing in the final course of the CYBATHLON
- Broll of the BCIT MAKE+ Team behind-the-scenes
Media interview opportunities available with team pilot Dr. Jaimie Borisoff. Please contact Amy Chen to schedule.