Paraplegic Teenager Ditched Wheelchair For Awesome Robotic Suit To Kick Off World Cup

Paraplegic Teen Ditched Wheelchair To Kick Off World Cup
|

The 2014 World Cup is sure to include drama and emotion but there won't likely be a moment as inspirational as one that took place just before the kickoff of the opening game.

A unidentified teenager who is paraplegic wore a high-tech exoskeleton suit that enabled him to give the first kick of the famed soccer tournament. The teen wore an electrode cap that recorded his brain signals and sent them to the "Iron Man"-esque suit, thus enabling it to move.

Dr. Miguel Nicolelis, the Brazilian doctor and lead developer of this technology, said that as host of the games, Brazil has a unique opportunity to spotlight its innovation on a global stage.

"After we learned Brazil was hosting the World Cup, they asked me for ideas to show Brazil in a different way than the world usually sees it," Nicolelis said, according to Discovery News. "That's when I suggested doing a scientific demonstration to teach people that Brazil is investing and has human potential to do things beyond football."

Let the games continue.

Before You Go

World Cup 2014 in Brazil: Opening Ceremony
(01 of21)
Open Image Modal
People dressed as flowers take part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA football World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(02 of21)
Open Image Modal
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014, prior to the opening Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of21)
Open Image Modal
People take part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA football World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(04 of21)
Open Image Modal
People dressed as flowers take part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA football World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of21)
Open Image Modal
A helicopter hovers over fans during the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014, prior to the opening Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(06 of21)
Open Image Modal
People dressed as flowers take part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA football World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(07 of21)
Open Image Modal
A performer takes part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA football World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014. AFP PHOTO / VANDERLEI ALMEIDA (Photo credit should read VANDERLEI ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(08 of21)
Open Image Modal
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA football World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014. AFP PHOTO / VANDERLEI ALMEIDA (Photo credit should read VANDERLEI ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(09 of21)
Open Image Modal
Participants take part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014, prior to the opening Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(10 of21)
Open Image Modal
A Mexican fan cheers in the stadium before a Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014 prior to the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(11 of21)
Open Image Modal
Preparations for the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup take place at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014, prior to the opening Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(12 of21)
Open Image Modal
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JUNE 12: Brazil fans with painted faces smile before the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(13 of21)
Open Image Modal
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JUNE 12: A Brazil fan poses before the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil prior to the Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(14 of21)
Open Image Modal
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JUNE 12: A Brazil fan looks on before the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil prior to the Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(15 of21)
Open Image Modal
A demonstrator drags a Brazil's national flag during an anti-World Cup protest, on the morning the Brazilian mega-city hosts the tournament's opening match, in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014. Police fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets to break up dozens of protesters gathering near a Sao Paulo subway station with a red banner reading 'If we have no rights, there won't be a Cup,' saying they planned to march as close as possible to Corinthians Arena, the city's World Cup stadium. AFP PHOTO / Miguel Schincariol (Photo credit should read Miguel Schincariol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(16 of21)
Open Image Modal
A Brazilian fan applies make-up before a Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014 prior to the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(17 of21)
Open Image Modal
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JUNE 12: Brazilian fans kiss before the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(18 of21)
Open Image Modal
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JUNE 12: A Brazil fan waves the Brazilian flag before the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil prior to the Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(19 of21)
Open Image Modal
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JUNE 12: A Brazil fan poses before the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(20 of21)
Open Image Modal
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JUNE 12: A Brazil fan uses a mobile phone before the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil prior to the Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(21 of21)
Open Image Modal
A Brazilian fan cheers prior to the Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 12, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)