58-Year-Old Rock Climber With ‘Wearable Robots’ Did the Unthinkable After Fearing To Never Walk Again Once

Several extreme sports athletes have incurred life-altering losses as a result of their stunning feats. However, what’s common among such athletes is that they never back down from living their passion. Likewise, when American rock climber Hugh Herr, lost his legs at 17 years old in a climbing accident, he did not back down.

Herr had his ‘eureka’ moment after he designed robotic prosthetic legs, to work for the benefit of amputees. He worked all his life to reclaim the power of his climbing ability by systemizing robotic prostheses. In his book ‘The Body Builders: Inside the Science of the Engineered Human’ author Adam Piore dives into the experimental science that can enhance the future of human bodies. 

Hugh Herr’s pioneering invention

MIT engineer, biophysicist, and athlete, Herr is the head of the bio-mechatronics department of Mass, an MIT Media lab in Cambridge. The scientist lost both his legs in a life-threatening climbing incident. Back then, he never expected to even walk again, let alone practice climbing 35 years later. Today he flaunts his “wearable robots,” while donning a tuxedo.

Describing a series of innovations in Piore’s book, Herr says, “Someday soon, these kinds of devices will be no more unusual than a pair of glasses.” Apparently, the genius was determined to be a scholarly engineer after his unfortunate incident. After obtaining his master’s from MIT and Ph.D. from Harvard, he is now capable of outdoing pro climbers with his device.

Speaking about the revelations in his book, to the New York Post, Piore says, “The amazing thing I found is that we finally have the power to reverse-engineer how humans work”. He delves into the specifics of Herr’s prosthetics and talks about every feature in detail.  

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Hugh Herr’s high-tech prosthetics

Talking to sources, Piore detailed that the self-designed prosthetics had shock-absorbing membranes installed for enhanced comfort. Additionally, Herr disclosed that the mechanics were somewhat inspired by a horse’s gallop. He also pointed out the advantage of a double amputee wearing robotic legs, saying, “I can be as short as 5 feet or as tall as I like.”

Shedding light on the machine’s abilities, Herr demonstrated how the ankle sensors measure his walk. “They’re the same kinds of microprocessors used in guided missiles,” he detailed. Besides that, it also needs to be charged after 8 hours of usage and utilizes carbon fiber feet. 

Herr and his team hold the potential to erase the limitations of disabilities. While others might think of it as impossible, like other inspiring athletes, Herr has proven otherwise. Do you think that’s possible? Let us know in the comments.   

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