Peter Kirstein Lecture 2024 with Professor Hugh Herr

Abstract:
Critical to the advancement of bionic technology that emulates or extends normal physiological function is the design of tissue-synthetic interfaces connecting the human body with electromechanics. In this talk, I describe research activities underway to advance mechanical and neural interfaces for the functional enhancement of bionic limb devices. I present novel prosthetic, orthotic and exoskeletal limbs that behave dynamically like their biological counterpart, peripheral neural interfaces that serve as an electrical interface with the external bionic limb, and novel osseointegration technology for the mechanical and neural transmission of the bionic device to the biological limb. Further, I present a digital nervous system designed to artificially control paralyzed musculature for the restoration of motor function for persons with limb pathology. Finally, critical areas of future research are discussed that must be advanced to step towards the next generation of bionic limb systems.

About Hugh Herr

Hugh Herr is creating bionic limbs that emulate the function of natural limbs. Time Magazine coined Dr. Herr the ‘Leader of the Bionic Age’ because of his revolutionary work in the emerging field of Biomechatronics - technology that marries human physiology with electromechanics. A double amputee himself, he is responsible for breakthrough advances in bionic limbs that provide greater mobility and new hope to those with physical disabilities. He is Professor of Media Arts and Sciences and Associate Investigator at the McGovern Institute at MIT. Professor Herr directs the MIT Biomechatronics Group and co-directs the K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics.

Herr is the author and co-author of over 350 peer-reviewed manuscripts and patents, chronicling the science and technology behind his many innovations. These innovations include powered leg exoskeletons and prostheses, and neural interfacing technologies. A powered ankle-foot prosthesis called EmPower, which emulates the action of a biological leg and, for the first time, provides amputees with a natural gait, was named to the list of Top Ten Inventions in the health category by TIME magazine. Today the EmPower Ankle-Foot Prosthesis has been clinically shown to be the first leg prosthesis in history to reach human normalization, allowing amputees to walk with normal levels of speed, musculoskeletal stress, and metabolism. His research group also developed the first autonomous exoskeleton shown to reduce the metabolic cost of walking. Herr’s MIT group has also invented novel mechanoneural Interfaces to the peripheral nervous system, surgical amputation procedures combined with neural interfacing technologies that enable persons with limb loss to neurally control their synthetic limbs, as well as to experience natural proprioceptive and cutaneous sensations. Herr has received many accolades for his groundbreaking innovations, including the 13th Annual Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy and Employment; the Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award in Technology, the 14th Innovator of the Year Award, and the 41st Inventor of the Year Award, the Princess of Asturias Award for Technical & Scientific Research, and the Liberty Museum Genius Award. Hugh's story has been told in a National Geographic film, Ascent: The Story of Hugh Herr; and episodes and articles featured in CNN, The Economist, Discover and Nature.

About the Peter Kirstein Lecture Series :

The Peter Kirstein lecture is the flagship lecture for the Department of Computer Science at UCL. It was so named to honour the life and work of Peter Kirstein, the founding head of UCL Computer Science and a major figure in the development of the field of Computer Science globally. Peter was a visionary who pushed at the boundaries of what we knew and what we could do, often in the face of disapproval and difficulties from more conservative voices. As a result, he was instrumental in changing the nature of society, not just in the ‘developed’ world, but in countries working to establish themselves following the collapse of the Soviet Union, amongst others.

In discussion with Peter himself, we decided that the ideas for each lecture should be generated in conjunction with new members of staff and the series should be bold in the speakers it seeks to invite, to challenge orthodox thinking and to encourage debate.

This is the fifth in the series of lectures in honour of Professor Peter Kirstein and was planned by Dr Amid Ayoi, Dr Sophia Bano and Dr He Wang.

Further information on Peter Kirstein and the lecture series

`Seating notice:
Please note the lecture theatre has booth-style seating, so you will be sat in the seating areas with other guests, sofa-style.

Recording Notice
Please note: There will be photography and filming taking place at the site of the event. This content will be used for publicity and promotional purposes and may appear online and/or in printed material.If you have any concerns, please contact : [email protected]

Professor Peter Kirstein

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

UCL East - Marshgate, 7 Sidings Street, London, United Kingdom