Summary
- Profile Type
- Technology offer
- POD Reference
- TOES20240416022
- Term of Validity
- 16 April 2024 - 16 April 2025
- Company's Country
- Spain
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreementCommercial agreement with technical assistance
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- A Spanish University has developed a retention and start control system for adapted swimming (also called paralympic swimming or para-swimming) competitions, ensuring precise positioning and simultaneous starts for all participants. This electromechanical system, activated via Bluetooth, allows swimmers with physical disabilities to securely grip the starting platform with their ankle or leg. Unlike current methods relying on manual grip or tape, this system ensures fairer competition.
- Full Description
-
That Spanish University has spearheaded the development of a retention and start control system tailored for athletes with physical disabilities in adapted swimming.
There are several categories in adapted swimming depending on the functional diversity type and degree of the athletes. In some of these categories, swimmers cannot remain in the starting position due to reduced or no mobility in their legs.
Currently, there are no technological solutions to address this problem and it is the athletes' coaches who lie down on the pool edge and hold them, either by grabbing their legs or by placing a tape on the support of the pool to which the swimmers cling, biting it… among other options.
The lack of uniformity between swimmers and categories do not guarantee a simultaneous and synchronized start which should depends exclusively on the abilities of the swimmers competing. This has a significant impact on their records, as a few hundredths of a second can mean losing or winning an Olympic gold.
To solve this problem, an electromechanical system has been developed to hold the athlete by means of ergonomic claws that automatically hold and release the swimmer using a Bluetooth signal synchronized with the competition start signal.
The prototype shown in Figure 1, currently manufactured using 3D printing, consists of:
• Anchoring system adapted for competition supports (pink).
• Release system that allows the clamps/claws to be adjusted to the pool water level and
adapts
it to the different models/heights of supports (dark blue).
• Support base and platform that maintain the structural integrity of the system (gray).
• Claw mechanism to hold ankles or legs (in orange).
• Electronic control unit (light blue).
Through Bluetooth communication and an Arduino-type microprocessor, the electronic control unit is capable of automatically releasing the pressure in the claws using servomotors. The release signal, now controlled by a mobile app, can be adapted to current time control systems to provide a synchronized start.
In order to continue expanding its reach and further developing its innovative solution to swimmers with physical disabilities, the University is currently looking for foreign partners to undertake commercial and/or research and development agreements. - Advantages and Innovations
-
Innovative aspects:
• Attachment of swimmers with physical disabilities for starting in adapted swimming
competitions.
• An electronic control unit enabling Bluetooth communication and Arduino-type
microprocessor control of the starting system.
• Synchronization of all competition starting platforms for a simultaneous start.
• Automatic swimmer release via external electronic signal.
• Control via mobile App.
• Electromechanical ergonomic grip system adaptable to each swimmer.
• Release system adaptable to start platform type.
• Synchronizable with various time control systems.
• No previous technological solutions exist for this swimming challenge.
Competitive advantages:
• Reducing variability in start times, ensuring simultaneous start.
• Ensuring fair competition with objectively synchronized starts.
• Enhancing swimmer independence and competition quality.
• Highly modular system adaptable to swimmers, platforms and timing systems. - Stage of Development
- Available for demonstration
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-beingGoal 10: Reduced InequalityGoal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
-
They look for the following partner role and kind of collaboration:
• Collaboration agreement, cooperation in the development of the final system.
• Access to adaptive swimming competitors and championships volunteers to test and
validate the system and get feedback.
• Grant exploitation licenses for manufacturing and commercialization.
• Commercial agreement with technical assistance.
They look for the following kinds of partners:
• Potential stakeholders:
- National Paralympic Committees.
- International Paralympic Committees.
- Higher Sports Councils.
- Federations of Sports for People with Physical Disabilities.
- Related NGOs and Foundations.
- National Swimming Federations.
- International Swimming Federation (FINA).
- Innovation platforms that promote technology innovation in Paralympic sports or in physical
accessibility.
• Companies of aquatic timing systems and related products.
• Sports equipment companies for swimming. - Type and Size of Partner
- SME 11-49Big companySME <=10SME 50 - 249
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreementCommercial agreement with technical assistance
Call details
- Coordinator required
-
Yes
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 09001005 - Mechanical Technology related to measurements09001004 - Electrical Technology related to measurements09003 - Electronic measurement systems01002001 - Micro and Nanotechnology related to Electronics and Microelectronics
- Market keywords
- 07001005 - Sport facilities (gyms and clubs)07001004 - Sporting goods, hobby equipment and athletics clothes03008004 - Other electronics related (including alarm systems)
- Sector Groups Involved
- DigitalHealthElectronics
- Targeted countries
- All countries
