Paris torch relay man's robotic exoskeleton is not an 'ableist' invention, says creator

The man behind the astonishing exoskeleton which allowed paraplegic tennis player Kevin Piette to walk the route of the Olympic torch relay in Paris this week has responded to claims his high-tech invention is 'ableist'.

Jean-Louis Constanza, co-founder of Wandercraft, watched with pride as Piette, 36, who lost the use of his legs in an accident aged 11, made history by carrying the Olympic flame wearing a robotic suit on Wednesday.

The Frenchman smiled and waved to crowds lining the streets of Poissy, northwest Paris, as the traditional Olympic relay neared its finale in the capital on Friday ahead of the opening ceremony on the river Seine.

With the Games set to begin this weekend, Constanza admitted most of the feedback he had received following the worldwide attention garnered by Piette's leg of the relay had been overwhelmingly positive.

"I've read literally hundreds of comments, on the various media and social media after the torch relay that Kevin did with the exoskeleton," he told CGTN Europe. "I would say 90 percent is enthusiastic and particularly from persons in wheelchairs.

"Some people, though, a small percentage, ask questions - is it ableism? Are we trying to impose a vision of someone who should be standing up and and no, the answer is no. We are giving an option to persons in wheelchairs. But by the overwhelming feeling is: very practical."

The latest personal exoskeleton developed by French company Wandercraft was officially unveiled in New York in December.  The battery-powered exoskeleton supports the user's legs, allow users to sit, stand, walk around, climb stairs and navigate unfamiliar terrain. 

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A back sensor detects when the wearer wants to walk or stand, while a hand-held controller enables changes in direction and speeds.

Piette has worked with Constanza since a motorbike accident in 2012 left him paralyzed in both lower limbs and deserved his big moment, according to his friend. "Kevin is a very good test pilot. So it was good justice that he was the one to walk for the passing of the torch," Constanza added.

"He's probably the person who's been trying to exhaust it the most and he deserved it, you could see it in his smile. It was a great moment for us but it was a great moment for Kevin. And I think it's a great moment for persons in wheelchairs as well."

Constanza - who started by building a robotic suit for his teenage son Oscar - explained that the thinking behind the exoskeleton is to encourage activity among the disabled, who should benefit from a renewed freedom and feel healthier as a consequence.

He said: "The exoskeleton is all about moving around, getting around. You're in a wheelchair. We shouldn't think that the wheelchair means the end of the life. Importantly, not being in a wheelchair will improve the health of everyone who today is in a wheelchair.

"We built the exoskeleton so that it is used for hours per day and people improve their health. When you're in a wheelchair, you have degrades rapidly because your body is not made to be sitting all day. The Olympics brings us to a world where you have very active, healthy people. I think it's very symbolic. We want to help people in wheelchairs.

"People will remain in wheelchairs because they are really well-adapted and they like it but we give them the option to be standing up, participating in events, moving around and improving their health. What better place to advertize that idea than the Olympics?"

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