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News coverage of the neural control prosthetic from Biomechatronics group.
This project focuses on developing and integrating new powered prosthetic limbs, sensor systems, and surgical technologies to restore neura…
Watch: Tech Briefs Magazine features a video of Dave Burke working with Media Lab Biomechatronics researcher Michael Fernandez.
Enhancing human physical capability
A new surgical procedure gives people more neural feedback from their residual limb. With it, seven patients walked more naturally
We've designed a health system strengthening model to support and expand the prosthetic and orthotic sector that cares for people wit…
Augmenting and mediating human experience, interaction, and perception with sensor networks
Existing upper extremity prosthesis controllers have limited functionality and place high cognitive demands on users, both of which contrib…
Closed-loop neuroprostheses show promise in restoring motion in individuals with neurological conditions. However, conventional activation …
Life with AI | Designing the future of smart systems to improve the human experience
A new study suggests optogenetics can drive muscle contraction with greater control and less fatigue than electrical stimulation.
For Video Friday, IEEE Spectrum highlights a clip of Media Lab Biomechatronics researcher Michael Fernandez working with Dave Burke.
Space Exploration Initiative
Connected Mind + Body | Revolutionizing the future of mental and physical wellbeing
The prosthetic interface consists of a compliant liner and rigid socket, and conventionally has been made through a very hands-on artisinal…
Future Worlds | Design and action for the future we want to live in
Shu, T., Herrera-Arcos, G., Taylor, C.R. et al. Mechanoneural interfaces for bionic integration. Nat Rev Bioeng (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44222-024-00151-y
Cultivating Creativity | Catalyzing a global movement enabling everyone to unlock and unleash their individual and collective creativity
Designing for, with, and by nature
As we work to improve prosthetic care in the US and in countries around the world, we are committed to learning from our most valuable asse…
SpaceHuman is a soft robotics device designed to facilitate the exploration of environments with reduced gravity in a view of democratizati…
A team of Boston surgeons and scientists has developed a new approach to amputation.
Prosthetics designers are coming up with new ways to help people feel more comfortable in their own skin.
The journey to equitable access to bionic technology in Sierra Leone.
Professor Hugh Herr and graduate student Christopher Shallal are working on next-generation biomimetic limbs.
PhD student is designing and building a sustainable care and delivery model in Sierra Leone
The Road to 2050, a six-part docuseries from The Franklin Institute, examines the ways that today's technology will shape the future.
Lower extremity amputation leads to limitations of biological function of individuals, which leads to challenges remaining physically activ…
Magnetomicrometry uses implantable magnets to track the position of muscles, potentially improving the control and efficacy of prosthetics.
Magnetomicrometry has exciting prospects for the control of wearable robotics, including prostheses and exoskeletons.
Two research papers published by Brown and MIT researchers focus on the possibility of employing improved muscle tracking technology.
Using a new technology, researchers hope to create better control systems for prosthetic limbs.
Yeon, Seong Ho, et al. "Flexible Dry Electrodes for EMG Acquisition within Lower Extremity Prosthetic Sockets." 2020 8th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob). IEEE.
Alum Shriya Srinivasan, Dr. Matthew Carty, climber Jim Ewing, and others join STAT and Nova PBS for a conversation about the Augmented film.
"Augmented" is a Nova PBS documentary episode that premiers Wednesday, 2/23, featuring Biomechatronics group head Hugh Herr.
Augmented is a Nova PBS documentary produced by STAT News, which follows the development of a new amputation procedure and bionic prostheses
Graduate student Lucy Du designs novel prosthetics and seeks to inspire others to pursue engineering.
As developers of prosthetic technology, we’re dedicated to understanding the challenges that people with limb loss face, not just after amp…
C. R. Taylor, S. S. Srinivasan, S. H. Yeon, M. K. O'Donnell, T. J. Roberts, H. M. Herr, Magnetomicrometry, Sci.Robot. 6, eabg0656 (2021), DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abg0656
Humans can accurately sense the position, speed, and torque of their limbs, even with their eyes shut. This sense, known as proprioception,…
Three-dimensional Digital Image Correlation (3D-DIC) is a non-contact optical-numerical technique for evaluating the dynamic mechanica…
This research track focuses on the use of computational (and experimental) techniques to understand the biomechanical behavior of human tis…
The design of next-generation bionic ankles and knees aims to improve bionic actuators on all metrics: range of motion, power density, band…
Mechanical, electrical, and dynamic control systems recreate biological behavior with synthetic hardware.
Nerve-Muscle Graft Chamber and micro-channel arrays tor interface to peripheral nerves for prosthesis control. This research effort co…
Optogenetic techniques have recently been applied to peripheral nerves as a scientific tool with the translatable goal…
Although there have been great advances in the control of lower extremity prostheses, transitioning between terrains such as ramps or stair…
Recent advances in artificial limbs have resulted in the provision of powered ankle and knee function for lower extremity amputees and powe…
Read about the first upper-limb amputation performed using the AMI procedure created by Media Lab researchers + Brigham and Women’s Hospital
A whole new mode of communication between prosthesis and user.
A recent feature in Designboom highlights research conducted by the Biomechatronics group that describes magnetomicrometry.
Amputation, muscle weakness, and nerve damage can make it difficult to perform simple daily tasks. In this project, we are developing a mi…
We plan to use magnetomicrometry to provide natural control over prosthetic limbs
Hugh Herr discusses the implications of the technology behind his work, from regenerative medicine and surgery to elderly mobility.
Reconnecting muscle pairs during amputation gives patients more sensory feedback from the limb.
Acquisition of surface electromyography (sEMG) from a person with an amputated lower extremity (LE) during prosthesis-assisted walking rema…
For the robotics category of the innovation series, the USPS chose the bionic prosthesis designed by Media Lab PhD graduate Matt Carney
The stamp is part of a new USPS series on innovation, representing computing, biomedicine, genome sequencing, robotics, and solar technology
Everett Lawson and Matt Carney worked with Biomechatronics group head Hugh Herr to fit Everett with a bionic prosthesis.
Developed by a team of Media Lab researchers, SpaceHuman is a seahorse-inspired additive prosthetic for use in microgravity environments.
Matt Carney discusses his interest in humanoid robots and the importance of design aesthetics and user experience in developing prostheses.
Cristina Quinn profiles Morgan Stickney, an elite swimmer who's the first person to undergo a bilateral Ewing amputation.
A research team, including members of the Biomechatronics group, devises a new surgery for hand amputations and prostheses.
Morgan Stickney is an elite swimmer who's helping pave the way for the next generation of bionic prosthetics and para-athletes.
Envisioning the future (and challenges) of designing affordable technology-enabled mobility devices.
S. S. Srinivasan, M. J. Carty, P. W. Calvaresi, T. R. Clites, B. E. Maimon, C. R. Taylor, A. N. Zorzos, H. Herr, On prosthetic control : A regenerative agonist-antagonist myoneural interface, 2, eaan2971 (2017).
Because old-school surgical amputation hasn’t kept up with modern-day medicine.
Electrical stimulation (FES) is the current clinical stimulation modality used to restore function and provide therapy in a variety of clin…