PROJECT ABSTRACT

Hugh Herr and his Biomechatronics research group at the MIT Media Lab have developed the first powered ankle-foot prosthesis. The novel prosthesis is capable of propelling the wearer forward and varying its stiffness over irregular terrain, successfully mimicking the action of a biological ankle, and, for the first time, providing amputees with a truly humanlike gait. Herr created the device through the Center for Restorative and Regenerative Medicine, a collaborative research initiative that includes the Providence VA Medical Center, Brown University, and MIT.

VIEW	Backgrounders: (.pdf) Ankle-Foot Prosthesis Overview | Ankle-Foot Prosthesis Technical Overview | Hugh Herr Biography Brown University Press Release: Iraq War Veteran To Present New Powered Ankle-Foot Prosthesis Department of Veterans Affairs Press Release: VA Researchers Develop New Prosthetic Ankle MIT News Office: Joint Effort: Robotic Ankle Research Gets Off on the Right Foot Boston Globe: A Powerful Step Forward
WATCH	Hugh Herr Overview (.mov) | Download Hi-Res Version (NTSC DV; 1133MB) Iraq War Veteran Demonstrates Prosthesis (.mov) | Download Hi-Res Version (NTSC DV; 285MB) Close-Up of Ankle-Foot Prosthesis (.mov) | Download Hi-Res Version (NTSC DV; 180MB) Hugh Herr Demonstrates Prosthesis (.mov) | Download Hi-Res Version (NTSC DV; 200MB)
DOWNLOAD IMAGES	Click on photo to download hi-res version: Images of the Powered Ankle-Foot Prosthesis developed at the MIT Media Lab by Professor Hugh Herr and researchers in the Lab's Biomechatronics research group. Photo Credit: Webb Chappell
PROJECT DIRECTOR	Hugh Herr, Biomechatronics Group
CONTACT	Press Alexandra Kahn, Press Liaison, MIT Media Lab akahn **at** media.mit.edu or 617 253-0365