BMW to Increase U.S. Athlete's Efficiency

MANILA : U.S Paralympics Track and Field team have got another reason to smile, apart from participating in the 2016 U.S. Paralympics Games, they will now be racing on BMW's.

BMW on Wednesday announced that it is designing and developing racing wheelchair for the U.S team. German automaker said that the racing wheelchairs are still under designing phase, and will be integrated with a carbon fiber body, a shift from the conventional heavy aluminum body frame. The change was in lieu to confirm that no drop of athletes’ energy goes in vain. In addition to the carbon fiber body, these power packed wheel chairs will showcase redesigned chassis, enhanced braking and steering functions.

Trudy Hardy, the vice president of marketing for BMW North America said that BMW plans to use “advanced aerodynamics efficiencies” that aims to reduce the drag and thus enhance athlete restrain.

The 2016 U.S. Paralympics Games, will surely be a great event, with a combination of BMW's technology and athletes efficiency, you'll definitely get to see some never seen before performances. "Ultimately, our goal is to make sure the athlete's energy is used to propel themselves vs. the chair they're sitting in. The whole goal is to make the chair invisible," Hardy said.

Further, BMW's partnership with the U.S team aims to address their training and equipment needs. Athletes’ performance will surely be benefited from this technology transfer initiative.

These racing wheelchairs are currently under production stage and are slated to be delivered to the U.S Paralympics Track and Field team by early 2016.

Image Courtesy: Valley News