Para Tech Power
Engineer Roger Kirschner was born with the left half of his body paralyzed. His parents were both professional race drivers, and he wanted to keep up with their fast-paced lifestyle. Andrea Eskau suffered spinal injuries after she had a bicycle accident. She didn’t want to slow down either, and instead decided to race at the Paralympic Games.
Even after winning four gold medals in the summer and another four golds in the winter at the Paralympic Games, her determination to go faster didn't stop. Roger and Andrea worked together with a team of Toyota engineers to continue improving her handbike. Today, her new handbike is 30 percent lighter and optimized for her to perform at her best.
I took a look at the existing handbike and sensed it right away. It needs a new concept… more stiffness, but less weight. It’s exciting that I am speaking to the racer and the race car in one person, because she’s the engine herself.
Roger Kirschner
Engineer