Robotic exoskeletons are opening new doors for inclusive sports, allowing young people with walking disabilities to experience events once out of reach. In a milestone for accessibility, three youths crossed the finish line of last month’s Paris 20km competition using exoskeleton suits – the first time this technology has been used in a French race.
"Long live medical research," said Anne-Laure Vaineau from the French Foundation for Medical Research as she watched 17-year-old Valentin Muguet, who has cerebral palsy, walk the last 100 metres of the event in an exoskeleton.
The robotic suit, made by French company Wandercraft, enables people with disabilities to stand and walk, serving as a powerful rehabilitation tool.
Valentin has been using robot-assisted gait therapy since he was nine, beginning in Poland with a device called a Lokomat, which supports patients in a harness over a treadmill as robotic legs guide their steps.
"I was moved beyond words when I watched my son, upright in a lokomat, looking down at his feet for the first time, looking up and looking down at his own two feet again," Anne Gautier, Valentin’s mother, told RFI.
Boosting health
For the past two years, Valentin has trained weekly in an exoskeleton at Wandercraft in Paris, building muscle and enhancing his overall health.
“We are made to walk, not sit in a wheelchair. When Valentin walks, his muscles send messages to his brain, teaching it how to move,” said Gautier.
“Walking with an exoskeleton means better joints, better digestion, and a better quality of life. It lets children and adults stand on their own feet and live almost normal lives.”
Gautier, along with Valentin's father Stéphane Muguet, set up the charity Fighting cerebral palsy (Agir Ensemble Contre l’IMC) in 2015 to support families in France with children affected by cerebral palsy.
Maria Dirani, 26, a paraplegic, was one of the three young people who walked the race’s final 100 metres in an exoskeleton. She told RFI it was her first time taking part.
“It was magical. I hope it will not be the last time because I really enjoyed it. I did not train for the race. It was hard but terribly gratifying,” she said.
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Accessibility dream
The goal is for the exoskeletons to become a part of everyday life.
“My dream is that that one day, the kids be able to walk down the street, you know like Goldorak [or Grendizer, a Japanese anime character], pick up a baguette, go shopping, or meet friends at a cafe, just like everyone else,” said Gautier.
However, the high cost of exoskeletons remains a barrier, with no coverage from France’s national health insurance.
“Today, it’s very expensive, beyond the reach of most families. But tomorrow, we can imagine a world where wheelchairs are replaced by exoskeletons,” Gautier added.
The 46th edition of the Paris 20 km in 2024 brought together 31,000 participants from 107 countries, including amateur runners, elite athletes, and people with disabilities.
