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Hugh Herr

Professor of Media Arts and Sciences
Contact Information:
Groups
Project Research

Full neural control of a bionic limb to restore biomimetic gait after amputation

This project focuses on developing and integrating new powered prosthetic limbs, sensor systems, and surgical technologies to restore neura…
Project Research

Optogenetic muscle control

Closed-loop neuroprostheses show promise in restoring motion in individuals with neurological conditions. However, conventional activation …
Project Research

Passive Stiffness-Tuned Foot-Ankle Prosthesis
Project Research

Neural Control of Upper Extremity Prostheses

Existing upper extremity prosthesis controllers have limited functionality and place high cognitive demands on users, both of which contrib…
Project Research

The Sierra Leone Orthotics & Prosthetics Program

We've designed a health system strengthening model  to support and expand the prosthetic and orthotic sector that cares for people wit…
Project Research

Design and Clinical Evaluation of a Digital Transtibial Prosthetic Interface

The prosthetic interface consists of a compliant liner and rigid socket, and conventionally has been made through a very hands-on artisinal…
Project Research

Democratizing prosthetic and diabetic care: A resilient model for healthcare delivery

As developers of prosthetic technology, we’re dedicated to understanding the challenges that people with limb loss face, not just after amp…
Project Research

Magnetomicrometry: Tissue Tracking via Implanted Magnetic Beads

Amputation, muscle weakness, and nerve damage can make it difficult to perform simple daily tasks. In this project, we are developing a mi…
Project Research

Flexible dry electrodes for EMG acquisition within prosthetic sockets

Acquisition of surface electromyography (sEMG) from a person with an amputated lower extremity (LE) during prosthesis-assisted walking rema…
Project Research

Brain plasticity following amputation

The Biomechatronics group recently pioneered a new type of amputation surgery, the AMI amputation, that allows patients to use a bionic pro…
Project Research

3D neuromuscular model of the human ankle-foot complex

During the gait cycle, the human ankle complex serves as a primary power generator while simultaneously stabilizing the entire limb. These …
Project Research

Biplanar Fluoroscopy Gait Analysis

Biplanar fluoroscopy (BiFlo) enables three-dimensional bone kinematics analysis using x-ray videos and bone geometry from segmented CT. Hin…
Project Research

MultiDIC: a MATLAB Toolbox for Multi-View 3D Digital Image Correlation

Three-dimensional Digital Image Correlation (3D-DIC) is a non-contact optical-numerical technique for evaluating the dynamic mechanica…
Project Research

Agonist-antagonist Myoneural Interface (AMI)

Humans can accurately sense the position, speed, and torque of their limbs, even with their eyes shut. This sense, known as proprioception,…
Project Research

Neural Interfaces

Nerve-Muscle Graft Chamber and micro-channel arrays tor interface to peripheral nerves for prosthesis control. This research effort co…
Project Research

An osseointegrated prosthesis with bi-directional neural communication

Recent advancements in orthopedic implants have made way for a new generation of bionic limbs that attach directly to the skeleton. Leverag…
Project Research

Transdermal Optogenetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Optogenetic techniques have recently been applied to peripheral nerves as a scientific tool with the translatable goal…
Project Research

Design of a 2-Degree-of-Freedom Powered Ankle-Foot Prosthesis for Rock Climbing

Lower extremity amputation leads to limitations of biological function of individuals, which leads to challenges remaining physically activ…
Project Research

Revolutionizing amputation surgery for the restoration of natural neural sensation and mobility

Lower-extremity amputation surgery has not seen significant change since the Civil War. This research is focused on the development of nove…
Project Research

Computational Biomechanics

This research track focuses on the use of computational (and experimental) techniques to understand the biomechanical behavior of human tis…
Project Research

Ultrasound imaging for transtibial prosthetic interface design

​In the United States, there are an estimated 1.7 million people living with amputation, with that number expected to double by 2050. Compl…
Project Research

Terrain-Adaptive Lower Limb Prosthesis

Although there have been great advances in the control of lower extremity prostheses, transitioning between terrains such as ramps or stair…
Project Research

FlexSEA: Flexible, scalable electronics architecture for wearable robotics applications

This project aims to enable fast prototyping of a multi-axis and multi-joint active prosthesis by developing a new modular electronics syst…
Project Research

Volitional control of a powered ankle-foot prosthesis

This project focuses on giving transtibial amputees volitional control over their prostheses by combining electromyographic (EMG) activity …
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Neural interface technology for advanced prosthetic limbs

Recent advances in artificial limbs have resulted in the provision of powered ankle and knee function for lower extremity amputees and powe…
Project Research

Effect of a powered ankle on shock absorption and interfacial pressure

Lower-extremity amputees face a series of potentially serious post-operative complications. Among these are increased risk of further amput…
Project Research

Tethered robotic system for understanding human movements

This project aims to build a powerful system as a scientific tool for bridging the gap in the literature by determining the dynamic biomech…
Project Research

FitSocket: Measurement for attaching objects to people

A better understanding of the biomechanics of human tissue allows for better attachment of load-bearing objects to people. Think of shoes, …
Project Research

Automated and data-driven computational design of subject-specific prosthetic sockets

Complications of prosthetic leg use in persons with lower extremity amputation often occur at the prosthetic socket, and includes delayed w…
Project Research

Sensor-fusions for an EMG controlled robotic prosthesis

Current unmotorized prostheses do not provide adequate energy return during late stance to improve level-ground locomotion. Robotic prosthe…
Project Research

Load-bearing exoskeleton for augmentation of human running

Augmentation of human locomotion has proved an elusive goal. Natural human walking is extremely efficient, and the complex articulation of …
Project Research

Human walking model predicts joint mechanics, electromyography, and mechanical economy

We are studying the mechanical behavior of leg muscles and tendons during human walking in order to motivate the design of power-efficient …
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Biomimetic active prosthesis for above-knee amputees

Using biologically inspired design principles, a biomimetic robotic knee prosthesis is proposed that uses a clutchable series-elastic actua…
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Artificial Gastrocnemius

Human walking neuromechanical models show how each muscle works during normal, level-ground walking. They are mainly modeled with clutches …
Project Research

Control of muscle-actuated systems via electrical stimulation

Motivated by applications in rehabilitation and robotics, we are developing methodologies to control muscle-actuated systems via electrical…
Project Research

Powered Ankle-Foot Prosthesis

The human ankle provides a significant amount of net positive work during the stance period of walking, especially at moderate to fast walk…