Sport and Technology to Take Centre Stage
The company behind the world’s first hands free robotic exoskeleton (REX) will be among the guest speakers at a technology and sports symposium in Louth on 24th February.
Steve Toon and Tom Priestley from REX Bionics will be demonstrating the REX and speaking about robot-assisted physiotherapy at the Technology for Sports Performance & Active Health event organised by onlincolnshire in partnership with University of Lincoln’s School of Sport and Exercise Science.
REX is the world’s first hands-free, self-supporting, independently controlled robotic walking device and is aimed at helping wheelchair users to stand and walk again.
Cllr Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at Lincolnshire County Council said it will put the county on the map: “To be hosting this type of event is a real coup for Lincolnshire and recognises the level of expertise in sports science and biomechanics we are lucky enough to have in the county, at the University of Lincoln.
“It also highlights the state-of-the-art technology and expert support and advice which are available to businesses as well as professional athletes and organisations at the five Lincolnshire Technology Hubs.”
Steve from Rex Bionics will be joined by a number of other expert speakers including Ross Tarnowski, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the RAF Rugby Union team and Michael Poole from the University of Lincoln who will be accompanied by world-ranked para-cyclist Liz McTernan.
Liz has been working with the University of Lincoln and onlincolnshire’s Louth and Lincoln Technology Hubs to optimise her performance.
Using the very high-speed 3D video cameras at the Louth hub, the university’s sport and exercise science team have been able to film Liz in action and then analyse the footage in minute detail.
By studying the footage and using the 3D scanner at the Lincoln Technology Hub, the team has been able to develop modifications to Liz’s race bike to improve her performance.
As well as hearing from guest speakers, delegates at the symposium on 24th February will be able to try out some of the most advanced technology available including an Adidas miCoach Smart Ball that analyses your kick in real time and a Neptune waterproof MP3 player that uses bone conduction to transmit sound through the cheekbones directly into the inner ear.
Biomechanics Research Assistant at the University of Lincoln Franky Mulloy said: “Technology is playing an increasingly important role in all industries including sport. The university and onlincolnshire have organised this event to highlight how technology is transforming performance in both professional and recreational sport as well as in the active healthcare sector.
“We’re delighted to have secured some top-class speakers who are leaders in the world of sports technology and will give a fascinating insight into what is available now and what could be possible in the future.”
Athletes, coaches, active healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists and anyone with an interest in sport is welcome to attend the Technology for Sports Performance Active Health Symposium at the Louth Technology Hub but booking is essential. To find out more visit onlincolnshire.org/events or call Freephone 0300 80 80 120
For more information about onlincolnshire, a Lincolnshire County Council-run project which is part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund, please visit http://www.onlincolnshire.org
Ends
Notes to Editors:
About onlincolnshire
• onlincolnshire is a Lincolnshire County Council-run project which is part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013.
• In March 2013, the council signed a £48 million contract with BT to provide superfast broadband to at least 88% of county properties by 2016, with the remaining properties having access to at least of 2Mbps broadband. A further investment of £2.8 million was announced in February 2014 which has increased the number of properties to 89%.
• The contract with BT concentrates on an intervention area of over 150,000 premises where existing or planned commercial roll outs would not deliver superfast speeds.
• The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf
• Some internet users in rural Lincolnshire experience speeds of less than 1 Mbps. The UK’s average broadband speed is 12 Mbps, according to Ofcom.
• onlincolnshire also offers up to 12 hours of support and advice to eligible Lincolnshire businesses to help them make the most of their access to improved broadband. Specialist consultants provide demonstrations, workshops, masterclasses or one-to-one coaching and mentoring to businesses to improve their services, processes, productivity and profitability.
For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Kate Strawson
Shooting Star PR
kate@weareshootingstar.co.uk
01522 528540
@KateStrawson
