Battle of bionic athletes

Bionic arms, robotic legs, powered exoskeletons, brain-controlled computer interfaces and supercharged wheelchairs - all took centre stage to compete at this weekend's Cybathlon. Dubbed as the world's first "bionic Olympics", you might assume this to be a mini-Paralympics with some cutting-edge technology added to the mix. But the focus of the event was less about athletics - and you could argue, less about competition - and more about what the future could hold for those with disabilities. The competition was held near Zurich and saw a 4,600-strong crowd cheer on the innovation and hard work of 66 teams of technologists, developers and "pilots" - as the competitors were called - had put in. It was a truly awe-inspiring display of assistive technologies that aim to overcome day-to-day practical challenges.