A hands free robotic exoskeleton and a networked exercise bike were just two of the ground-breaking technological innovations on display at a sports and technology event in Louth.

The Technology for Sports Performance & Active Health symposium at the Louth Technology Hub was organised by onlincolnshire in partnership with the University of Lincoln’s School of Sport and Exercise Science to examine the impact of technology on sport, rehabilitation and active health.

Steve Toon and Tom Priestley from REX Bionics, which has developed the world’s first hands-free robotic walking device, gave a talk on robot-assisted physiotherapy while the team from High Octane Ride demonstrated their new intelligent exercise bike which offers a high intensity workout.

Cllr Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at Lincolnshire County Council, said Lincolnshire is becoming a technology hot-spot: “We are really pleased to be able to host an event of this standard in Lincolnshire. The team from Rex Bionics travel all over the world and have recently been to the Arab Health exhibition in Dubai so to have them here in Louth is incredible.

“Thanks to the onlincolnshire technology hubs people in the county have access to state-of-the-art technology. Businesses, athletes, coaches and health professionals can use this technology to help them improve their performance and excel in their chosen field. They can also get one-to-one advice from our experts on how to use the equipment and its potential benefits.”

Other speakers at the event on 24^th February included Ross Tarnowski, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the RAF Rugby Union and world-ranked para-cyclist Liz McTernan. Liz explained how she’s been working with the University of Lincoln and the Lincoln and Louth 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 scanners and laser cutters the team have developed a new seat and made other modifications to her race bike to help improve her performance.

As well as hearing from guest speakers, delegates at the symposium were invited to try out some of the most advanced sports 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.

For more information about the onlincolnshire technology hubs, which are 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