A research team led by Professor Kyoungchul Kong from the Department of Mechanical Engineering achieved remarkable success at the international robotics competition, Cybathlon, securing a bronze medal.

The team competed in the Powered Exoskeleton Race, the only Korean team in the category, and placed third after Germany and the United States, showcasing the excellence of Korean robotic technology on the global stage.

Cybathlon is an international event where cutting-edge assistive robotic technologies for individuals with disabilities are put to the test. Often referred to as the "Ironman Olympics," the competition gathers top innovations in medical and engineering fields. The event, held in Switzerland on October 8, was broadcast live worldwide, drawing significant attention.

Among the six competition categories—including brain-computer interface, powered exoskeletons, robotic prosthetic arms, robotic prosthetic legs, functional wheelchairs, and electrical stimulation bicycles—Professor Kong’s team participated in the Powered Exoskeleton Race, one of the most anticipated events, and successfully earned a place on the podium.

The competitor representing the team, Byungwook Kim (42), lost the ability to walk due to a trafficaccident. After years of preparation, he was able to stand and walk again for the first time in 20 years, thanks to the robotic exoskeleton developed by the research team.

Wearing the exoskeleton "Walk-on," he successfully completed all five challenging tasks: sitting and standing, overcoming obstacles, ascending and descending slopes, crossing stepping stones, and climbing stairs.

Professor Kong, the lead researcher and developer, described the overwhelming moment:
"When 5,000 spectators cheered for our team and called out the competitor’s name, I was deeply moved. It wasn’t just a competition—it was a moment where every individual with a disability was being supported and encouraged. There were no winners or losers."

Byungwook Kim also shared his thoughts:
"It was a long and challenging journey, but I’m proud that we could showcase Korea’s robotic technology to the world."

The success of the project was made possible through close collaboration between Professor Kong’s research team, a robotics company specializing in exoskeleton development, and a rehabilitation hospital.

The research team focused on mechanical design, control algorithms, and electronic systems, while the robotics company took charge of manufacturing, and the rehabilitation hospital provided linical training for the athlete.