Cybathlon 2020

IHMC is competing in Cybathlon 2020, a unique championship in which people with physical disabilities compete against each other to complete everyday tasks using state of the art technical assistance systems. The virtual competition will be held November 13-14, 2020. IHMC will be participating in the Powered Exoskeleton Race, using our Quix mobility device piloted by Mark Daniel.

Quix is a powered exoskeleton that provides people with lower limb paralysis increased mobility and independence. It also has the potential to eventually replace the wheelchair. This is the fourth exoskeleton prototype developed from the ground up by researchers and engineers at IHMC. For more information on how you can become a sponsor or donate to the Quix project, please visit helpquix.org.

Quix is designed for people like Mark Daniel, co-creator of IHMC’s powered exoskeletons. Mark was paralyzed as the result of an automobile accident over a decade ago. He has been working with IHMC since 2010, helping us develop and test our devices. In 2016, Mark piloted our Mina v2 prototype at the 2016 Cybathlon and took home the Silver Medal.

Designer, evaluator, and user representative, Mark was born and raised in Pensacola. As a young adult he graduated high school early and pursued a career in ironwork. First going to trade school for diesel mechanics, then learning how to weld and fabricate. In 2007, at eighteen years old, Mark started his career and began planning his next steps. Working long hours in risky conditions was exciting at first, but after five months the work took its toll. He fell asleep driving home, flipping his SUV several times, and awoke in the ICU of a local hospital. After learning of his paralysis, he set out to regain his independence.

For more information on Quix, please visit the Exoskeletons page.