The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded $7.2 million to the Providence VA Medical Center to establish a broad-based research program to restore natural function to amputees. The chief goal is to create “biohybrid” limbs that meld human tissue with a prosthesis controlled by an amputee’s own muscles and brain signals. The Providence VA Medical Center is working with Brown University and the MIT Media Lab to improve the lives of amputees, particularly veterans of the war in Iraq.

Professor Hugh Herr, head of the MIT Media Lab's Biomechatronics research group, will lead robotics research focusing on creating active knees and ankles controlled by an amputee's own nervous system, and powered by muscle-like devices.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded $7.2 million to the Providence VA Medical Center to establish a broad-based research program to restore natural function to amputees. The chief goal is to create “biohybrid” limbs that meld human tissue with a prosthesis controlled by an amputee’s own muscles and brain signals. The Providence VA Medical Center is working with Brown University and the MIT Media Lab to improve the lives of amputees, particularly veterans of the war in Iraq.

Professor Hugh Herr, head of the MIT Media Lab's Biomechatronics research group, will lead robotics research focusing on creating active knees and ankles controlled by an amputee's own nervous system, and powered by muscle-like devices.