ABC News visits Prof. Hugh Herr’s lab to explore his work developing bionic limbs aimed at augmenting human capabilities and ending “profound human suffering caused by disability.” Herr says he “always had the dream of developing exoskeletal structures that would enable anyone to walk with less energy, run with less energy, move faster with complete ease.”
In an article for The Atlantic, Jessa Gamble highlights MIT alumnus David Sengeh’s work, which is focused on designing better-fitting prosthetics by examining a patient’s internal anatomy using MRI technology. “We’ve been able to make the [world’s] first socket entirely from quantitative methods,” says Sengeh. “No human hands were involved in defining the shape, including the cut lines and material properties of the socket.”
Prof. Hugh Herr has been named the recipient of Spain’s 2016 Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research, according to the AP. Herr’s achievements “have had a major impact on people with disabilities, through adaptive knee prostheses for femoral amputees, and ankle-and-foot orthopedic prostheses for those with clubfoot or disabilities caused by cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis.”
Prof. Hugh Herr speaks with Breanna Draxler of Popular Science about the future of bionics. Herr explains that he is “intrigued by the possibility of embedding humanity—our ideas and our creativity—into designable bodies. The artificial limbs we create can be just as beautiful and expressive as our own bodies made of innate cells.”
Jon Christian reports for The Boston Globe on FitSocket, a device created by researchers in MIT’s Biomechatronics group that gathers data used to create personalized prosthetic sockets. “We’re treating the body as a mechanical thing, because it is,” explains graduate student Arthur Petron.
Prof. Hugh Herr speaks about his work developing bionic limbs on Popular Science’s Futuropolis podcast. When asked about what sort of capabilities bionics may be able to give humans in the future, Herr explains his view that, “If something is possible given physical law, given the laws of nature, then I think ultimately humans will explore it.”
Writing for Smithsonian’s section on the American Ingenuity Award winners, Matthew Shaer examines Professor Hugh Herr’s work developing bionic limbs. “To spend any time with Hugh Herr is to understand that he is already thinking beyond a world where bionics are used only to enable wounded people and toward a future where bionics are an integral part of everyday life.”
Mark Shanahan and Meredith Goldstein of The Boston Globe report that Professor Hugh Herr, postdoctoral associate Xu Liu and graduate student Steve Ramirez were recipients of the 2014 American Ingenuity Awards. Liu and Ramirez were honored for their discoveries on how memories form and Herr for his development of a bionic leg.
The Associated Press reports that Professor Hugh Herr, postdoctoral associate Xi Liu and graduate student Steve Ramirez have been awarded American Ingenuity Awards. Herr was honored for his work “developing a highly functional bionic leg” while Ramirez and Liu were recognized for their work examining how memories form.
Professor Hugh Herr speaks with NPR about the loss of his legs during a climbing accident almost 30 years ago. The experience inspired Herr, head of the MIT Media Lab's Biomechatronics group, to develop functional prosthetic technology to help other amputees.
Michael Farrell of The Boston Globe reports on a robotic ankle created by Professor Hugh Herr’s startup, BiOM. “The BiOM ankle is programmed to replicate all the natural functionality of the foot and ankle,” writes Farrell.
USA Today reporter Kelly Whiteside highlights Professor Hugh Herr’s work developing bionic prosthetic limbs that emulate the function of natural limbs. Herr developed a bionic leg that allowed Boston Marathon bombing survivor Adrianne Haslet-Davis to dance again.
Catherine Taibi of The Huffington Post previews an Anderson Cooper documentary in which he follows the recovery of Boston Marathon bombing survivor Adrianne Haslet-Davis. Haslet-Davis has regained her ability to dance thanks to a bionic leg designed by Hugh Herr of the MIT Media Lab.
Boston Herald reporters Gayle Fee and Joe Dwinell report on dancer Adrianne Haslet-Davis’s return to the stage after losing part of her left leg during the Boston Marathon bombings. Haslet-Davis danced at the 2014 TED Conference thanks to a bionic leg specially designed for her by Professor Hugh Herr.
The Associated Press highlights Boston Marathon bombing survivor Adrianne Haslet-Davis’ performance on a bionic leg designed by MIT researchers at the 2014 TED Conference. The AP reports that, “MIT professor Hugh Herr started designing the bionic leg specifically for dancing after visiting Haslet-Davis in the hospital.”