strategy+business

ISSUE 85 WINTER 2016 Hugh Herr Wants to Build a More Perfect Human

At MIT’s Media Lab, an engineer and biophysicist — and double amputee — is designing prosthetics that connect body and brain.

BY SALLY HELGESEN

REPRINT 16410 feature innovation 1 AT MIT’S MEDIA LAB, AN ENGINEER AND BIOPHYSICIST — AND HUGHDOUBLE AMPUTEE — IS DESIGNING PROSTHETICS THAT CONNECT BODY AND HERR BRAIN BY SALLY HELGESEN feature

WANTS innovation TO BUILD A MORE 2 PERFECT HUMAN Sally Helgesen [email protected] is an author, speaker, and leadership development consultant whose most recent book is The Female Vision: Women’s Real Power at Work (with Julie Johnson; Berrett- Koehler, 2010).

Hugh Herr sits at a table in his austere glass office we have to ask ourselves now is: What would be more in the famous Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute useful here, skin or polymer? Fit, function, comfort, and feature of Technology, scrolling through images of a striking aesthetics will dictate our decisions.” model born without a right forearm. As head of A computer scientist, mechanical engineer, and

research at MIT and one of the world’s biophysicist, Herr is himself a double amputee. And innovation leading developers of wearable robotics, Herr is making his immersion in robotics was initially driven by a per- a point about how disability is becoming obsolete as the sonal quest to develop superior prosthetics. By analyz- boundary between humans and robots vanishes. ing human motion, studying how electronic devices The model, Rebekah Marine, strikes a pose on the interface with the nervous system, and using live mus- runway. She wears a black-and-gold braided asymmetri- cles to activate these devices, Herr and his biomecha- cal , a forearm of woven mesh that fits like a long tronics team have created augmentations that respond evening , and a large metal and polymer hand; to ever more subtle neural commands, with vastly im- her outsized joints resemble those in a cartoon proved functionality and fit. Innovations include an drawing of a robot. Next up, there’s Marine in a bath- artificial that adapts to the individual’s gait and ing , tossing a mane of silvery hair that coordinates an ankle–foot exoskeleton for patients suffering from with a silvery sleeve and hand. Then Marine in a black drop foot, a pathology caused by stroke, cerebral palsy, and thigh-high black paired with a glis- and multiple sclerosis. 3 tening all-black arm. In each photo, the model’s eye- Known outside scientific circles for his powerful catching costumes are upstaged by her i-limb quantum TED talks and appearances at high-visibility confabs prosthetic, which features advanced gesture control that such as SXSW in Austin, Herr, 52, compels attention. mimics human function. Tall and slender, with an athletic build and a quiet de- “What you see here is extreme bionics,” says Herr. meanor, he strides about the stage on robotic-looking legs “By that I mean designed constructs that attach to or of his own design. The system uses a bionic foot and calf integrate with neural networks in order to normalize system known commercially as the BiOM, which Herr capability.” Just as the functional use of advanced aug- developed and patented. It is the only prosthetic with mentations blurs the boundaries between human and powered push-off; that is, the calf function in normal machine, disability and function, so the materials and walking is replicated because an algorithm in the ankle devices Herr and his colleagues design erode the bar- calculates every step. This push-off gives the wearer the rier between the natural and the human-made. “We sensation of actually moving his or her leg. The BiOM can use living muscle tissue and grown cells, or fabrics is sold through BionX, the company Herr spun off from like aluminum and polymer. Or we can blend synthet- MIT to manufacture and sell his products. ics with biologics,” he says. Herr’s team at the Media Far from viewing the loss of his own legs below the Lab recently made a mechanical fish that swims using knee 34 years ago as a tragedy, Herr considers it a kind

living muscle taken from frogs. “The kind of question of fortunate wound that imbued him with an overriding Photographs by Matthew Septimus featuresfeature title innovation of the article 44 ------

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5 innovation scious machines or to forever. live machines scious con to build than rather bodies damaged tosire repair de by work the inspired is his Herr says Kurzweil, like by 2029. intelligence human-level But un possess will Biology of pioneerand intelligence author artificial the Kurzweil, Ray as optimist muchputs it. of He atechnological as is more diverse,” far Herr into something to human be of it what means expansion —the of normalcy death the at “We’re looking advancement. technological great rhetoric of definition about the Herr’s to high-flown lends itself like work labs in easily the blurring, of this aresult cal,” Negroponte As says. mechani and biological between line crisp blur the that ways in thenatural with “Hugh blends artificial the concurs. emeritus, chair as who now and serves Wiesner Jerome engineer humanist the with Lab Media the ed more human. machines making in than more machine-like humans making in interested less is doing so, in machine.” he and But that he adds man between divide social and conceptual the tinguishing “ex work own as his clear, Herr sees make identity man of hu future the bionics and on extreme talk SXSW notes for his program the As transgressive. and tional aspira than rehabilitative less motivation is hackers’ It doesn’t bodies. own into their body Herr bother that ears) Bluetooth-enabledphones, artificial USB drives, head devices, (tracking who electronics implant ists body activ grassroots hackers — the loosely organized amongso-called work influential is surprisingly, his do not boundaries.” Not see Iliterally to adapt, capacity it human to the comes “When intrinsic: as limitations resources.” right the and team right to the access given is beyond them to see imagination the with someoneif changed be can reality,” fine “They says. he do not and not de static are intrinsic as we see straints con “Hugh’s me that workeconomic teaches growth. shape and industries remake how into that objects know- human and knowledge by human transformed The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Humans When Is Near: Singularity The Nicholas Negroponte, the architect who cofound who architect the Negroponte, Nicholas or regard constraints not Herr does accept fact, In (Viking, 2005), who believes that computers that who believes 2005), (Viking, human in an age of age an in ------athletic older brothers, who began tearing up summits up summits tearing older brothers, who began athletic of God. majesty and power about the church in taught been he had what ing manifest also while adventure and wildness, challenge, represented Mountains vacation. canoeing and fishing, for ahiking, Canada and drove togenerations, Alaska for many Pennsylvania eastern in nonites lived who had love it family, Men in when with his of fallen He 6. had To again. visitors, he else. climb spoke of little to was moment consciousness the from hegoal regained primary avoid his that forsimple the reason to determined wentroom and he cold was turkey. Still, his in brother pointedwhen his it out, himself he locked to morphine; oneAt addiction point, he an developed trauma. system-wide and temperatures spiking caused that infections successive and multiplepain, surgeries, ily’s Pa., home Herr endured excruciating Lancaster, in fam his near ahospital in then and Hampshire New 1991). Books, of (Stackpole Hugh Herr Story in First The Ascent: Second accident of in the aftermath the numb. completely grown had which feet, to his signals stopped delivering snow brain the when in his remembered fallen he had accident later, the he reconstructing Mentally limbs. ing would frostbite end up and los extensive suffered had hikers hospital, both to alocal Airlifted night. third the of middle the in them find to managed finally team cue up. temperature Ares bodies’ their to keep snow, trying the other in each cradled they days, three and nights whiteout. For extended two an during Great Gulf the as known awasteland lost in became old when friend they 17-year-old a20-year- with hiking prodigy, was climbing 1982, January Herr, In 100 ayear. days afearless than for more winds by hurricane-force beset is and peratures cold tem for extremely Mount known is Washington Northeast, the in peak tallest The of Hampshire. New Mountains on White Mount the ago in Washington years 34 Herr into set motion that began journey The The Turning Point The youngest of five children, Herr idolized his his Herr idolized ofchildren, five youngest The Herr’s been had age Climbing the since obsession Herr’s detail in biographer, recounts Osius, Alison ------

strategy+business issue 85 featuresfeature title innovation of the article 66

LITERALLY I , actuatorsgather data about the limb and how it reacts to differentforces.

critical tool for developing comfortableways to attach a to a specific biological limb. Its 14 The MIT FitSocket robot is a AS INTRINSIC: “WHENAS INTRINSIC: COMES IT TO ADAPT TO HUMAN CAPACITY THE

HERR DOES NOT ACCEPT CONSTRAINTS CONSTRAINTS ACCEPT NOT DOES HERR DO NOT SEE BOUNDARIES.” SEE NOT DO

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7 innovation A River Runs Through It Through Runs A River movie Redford Robert that like idyllic, Itwere free. was we but down were nature set in rules and “Behaviors profound with discipline,” along he recalls. achild, as freedom great “I had adventures. his not discourage did business, contracting afamily as well as afarm ran who parents, his and them, up to with keep termined de was Hugh ever-higher to peaks. bag competing and spite the loss of his legs. In the rehab facility, he pulled facility, he pulled rehab the In spite legs. of loss his the de how climb to he considering might to climb him would permit about how legs soon his thinking from he switched kneecap, below the legs amputation of both inevitable the Once he faced for ardor climbing. his cool calculating and analytical.” always butwas “I risks, took he recalls. configurations,” one the of my memorizing every moves and through my concentration, thinking “I practiced trips. during never spoke he almost that such was intensity His quire. situation would re of sequence moves aparticular tire to en envision foot and the and where hand to put each exactly out to problem figure required ticulous solving world. the in one14, of as the amateurs he ranked region. At 11, By the in age ties. climbs leading he was irregulari and crevices among handholds and footholds by finding faces or sheer cliff rocks up massive bling scram at bouldering, excelled Hugh From start, the York southern New away in hours afew mecca state. arock-climbing Mountains, Shawangunk to the ends on week traveling began They weather, avalanches. and safety, mountain studied and gear; collected books; ing mountaineer read end of summer, Herr children the The catastrophe on did not not did Washington Mount on catastrophe The me the of climbing, aspect Herr loved mental the at the idyll home Northwest their from Returning .” works during running. during works leg ahuman how of mechanics the shows model a office, MIT Herr’s Hugh of acorner In ------fashion feet that would suit various climbing situations, situations, climbing would suit various that feet fashion to trying began he also climbing, Preoccupied with painful. less and more functional prosthetics the make to trying padding, as into sockets the and ber bits of rub gluing experimenting, he began mediately Im sockets. leg artificial with fitted was and straps the limitless.” is itself technology but technology, on dependent am “I today. colleagues and students he tells then, as he told himself is,” technology the handicapped; not am “I prosthetic. kind of theright He to find needed just him. with problem technology, the the not with that lay decided ablewould never be But to climb. already Herr had he canes, with again able be to he walk might though al that The doctor toldhim . climbing with fit would whatever he wanted Herr said to choose, him asked and of feet avariety showed him prosthetist the When stumps. to the straps with attached that ings cast paris of plaster legs, artificial of pair first his with prosthetics. designing when he later began prove useful would that —apractice mind his through it ran as move to feeling and every to envisioning focus full his bringing climbing, he started since vated culti he habits of had thought the deepened even and he continued it all, Through stumps. his and hands his using around clamber would he where outcrops stony to paths hiking along brother Tony piggyback him carried Herr’s On weekends, upper-body to build ing strength. side stoneup seek the family’s of the barn, scrambling spent and hours on refrigerator pull-ups he the did home, At of legs. absence the in out arms how his to use side from figuring to side ledge, on window the himself Once the stumps stabilized, Herr dispensed with with Herr dispensed stabilized, stumps Once the months out fitted A few hospital, of Herr the was each sequence sequence each ------

strategy+business issue 85 featuresfeature title innovation of the article 88 ------Meanwhile,as Osius relates, was Herr working Single-Minded Pursuit Pursuit Single-Minded functionalityTrue required prosthetics in capable of terpreting brain signals and incorporating a them into limbs that bionic — usedrange mechan movement of ics the the support to of biology human neural system. This insight spurred two to Herr simultaneous realiza tions. classes First, shop inadequate were his for ambi his solve physical if problems couldn’t Second,tion. he focus to continued he primarily climbing on because it claimed his of much too time and So in attention. 1984, Millersvilleentered he near his hometown, University, studied he where math science before and computer switchingphysics. Althoughto underpreparedfelt he among academic conventional students had who a more background, he soon found that the obsessiveness he haddeveloped inthinking through hisclimbs gavehim and concentration a level of commitment that most lacked. students other with a new prosthetist, Barry Gosthnian in Mechan icsburg, address to Pa., kneecap problems and tendon his prosthetics they caused. came with up Together the a cushioning developing idea of socket that used hy draulics. Drawing the dynamics on aircraft how of use strutsshock-absorbing landing, soften of to the blow they in Gosthnian’s worked lab adapt to the technique artificialto joints. At a machineNew Jerseyin shop theowned by father a girlfriend, of also Herr experi with materialsmented that thought he might improve prosthetic function. tested He polyurethanes and vari ousadhesives and developed an He inflatable bladder. and Gosthnian thenincorporated these into elements their prosthetic designs, making constant adjustments asthey observed different how levels pressure of caused ------.

awareness

Inhigh had Herr pursued school, the vocational constantlyHerr experienced pain in his nonexis andThe power accuracy his of sensations made He put this When put inHe the recognition work shop. to track as devote to time in much order as to possible climbing. Returning in school to the autumn following hisnewa found purpose he accident, in these studies. gave himThe shop school access and tools to materials could he use customize to his prosthetics and experi him realize that the neural connections his to van for example,for sculpting a blade that him enable would to secureledge a on — a functional a foothold improve ment on an on ordinaryment human foot. with differentment kinds designs. of legs and lower feet.tent In his dreams, was he always running, then pain but from the effort awaken would him take would and it a few realized minutes he before his legs and feet missing. were understood soon Herr that was he feeling than more pain, phantom a phe that had beennomenon well before documented long neural connections between brain and un body were was he derstood. also No, still perceive vibra to able tions through his legsand mentally feet he when shifted differentthem into had In he positions. words, other phantom crafting thought he a blade foot, through exactly how feel would setit in a climbing When tried hold. he the an on actual out foot sense rock, wantedto behe able to see was it and placedwhere how couldn’t even he when his could so he position prostheticsit, they where be using by longed his brain. legs still were ished lower operating — an insight crucialthat prove would in his early efforts de to sign prosthetics and that shape would his distinctive the to field. acuityThe contribution of phantom his awareness,nearlyintensified a by practicelifelong of mentally deconstructing and feeling through even his suggested movements, most subtle that the thought processes that hadmade him exceptional remained intact. All needed was he a device connect capable of ing his physical responses with what his mind could conceive of doing. INTO RANGE A OFMOVEMENT. BRAIN SIGNALS AND INCORPORATING THEM THEM INCORPORATING AND SIGNALS BRAIN PROSTHETICS CAPABLE OF INTERPRETING TRUE FUNCTIONALITY REQUIRED FUNCTIONALITY TRUE

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9 innovation physical world at MIT and the metaphysical world at metaphysical the world and physical at MIT — the of knowledge types of different pursuit the in tasks. specific of accomplishing capable robots to build publicyears) for television many on a competition (carried who ran enthusiast robotics a as well as to improve technologies prosthetics digital apioneernow Flowers professor using emeritus. was in by Woodie at MIT Flowers, Rehabilitation Human and for Biomechanics Laboratory Newman oftour the apersonal given Herr was schools, graduate sidering con he was While Engineering. ment of Mechanical Herr’s of science. commerce the in education to do it better.” began trying Thus start people will come other up, input. then problemsing New and will giv and it wearing start will people of “thousands told, happens,” that he was “When on market. the appeared socket new when would happen the what engineer an patent 1990. in a would secure Gosthnian he on and which socket, their of the prototype points to refine school at various from risks.” off Herr took time constant to take ing work “someone required will experimental calibrated told Herr’snian biographer. What’s more, finely such iterations,” various the Gosth through feel who could skills, someoneneeded heightened analytical with “You efforts. for their invaluable as on himself search everything.” you’re creating this, like basically thing some you’re when building “but notes, he sequence,” you’re “In climbing, your imagination. only creating his work fired of this aspect creative The reactions. different POINT. ENTRY THE IS HERR’S LIKE WORK ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AREIN LEADING ADVANCES WHERE IS FUTURE CYBORG THE Cambridge, Mass., which is anchored by two poles poles by anchored two is which Mass., Cambridge, would continue education The at MIT’s Depart Herr asked attained, patent before the Shortly was Herr’s to viewed do field re capacity Gosthnian ------at the Media Lab.” Media at the —you belong does Hugh —and aspace such inhabit you If arts. the and of engineering, science, traditions outside the fall that white spaces has MIT as nected interconand collaborative, fluid, as Even institute an anti-disciplinarian. polyglot, or misfit, academic an are to come when a place you refusés: des salon a global into being Lab’s evolved over “mission years dia the has 1985. in its establishment since research machine frontier at the of been human– has which Lab, Media the at housed should be biomechatronics as such discipline It’s a lectures. that not surprising regular Herr delivers for 2.0, which Human seminar include the advertised computation and information digital to form physical dynamic giving by atoms of and bits worlds Seamlessly coupling as such the slogans, of aspirational MIT’s version printed with banners on laptops amid pound away students Lab where lounge third-floor Media thevast is office Herr’s from hall the glass-walled Across Our Future amongtheRobots nature he knew as a child. achild. as he knew nature in freedomthe experience can they gratified is and tains have come to love moun daughters the his delighted is but he says on trail, joins them the rarely to climb, ues include Mount Herr,course Washington. who contin would of which peaks, Hampshire’sNew tallest 48 to hiking committed is whom Ellis with daughters, young have two They at Harvard. anthropology ing study awriter 1990, In Patricia Ellis, vard. he married aPh.D. and biophysics at MIT in Har from gineering en Herr, mechanical amaster’s in degree who earned home University for —proved acongenial Harvard Negroponte, the cofounder, observes that the Me the Negroponte, cofounder, that the observes , AND AND . Course offerings offerings Course . ------

strategy+business issue 85 featuresfeature title innovation of the article 1010 - - - - This cyborg future advances is where in artificial scribe a man his withpassion his presence. gentle Yet and energy make him an evangelist the a vision of for future that, although inspiring in particulars, its re mains unsettling in might what it portend: in a world perform simply taskswhich not robots do that for were humans, by also done but merly assume human func tions via their living incorporation into human tissue and capacity make to use neural of networks. intelligence are leading, is the en like and work Herr’s — whereby some to horse try — a kind point Trojan of humans willingly collaborate in their own evolution. Manymostly people, remain non-scientists, queasy such potentialabout enhancements as editing, gene - - - is too strong a word to de to is strong too a word The Media Lab, Herr’s base andThe Media creative Lab, home Herr’s projects intense engagementHerr with his subject Synthetic ankle–footSynthetic machines fill laboratory shelves in an MIT workshop whereBiomechatronics the Group designs, builds, and tests bionic appendages. sincethe hasearly given 1990s, him the resources — the materials, the technology, the researchers, and above all the freedom pursueto — his overarching a vision of in which disabilityworld exists. longer no That banner and sums bits atoms about the up essence his of quest: incarnateto digital information enhance to in order hu andminimal interest in that which the touch does not his of core Messianic work. man says, Herr “What capacity. are we imag capable of ining, are we designing. capable of As our brains evolve, our imaginationsexpanding too, do the possibilities. In this view, my pursuit is holy.”

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11 innovation most engaged him, demonstrates a level of alevel commitment demonstrates him, engaged most has whatever immersionin intention by fierce and total over alifetime disciplined imagination, own His says. he imaginations,” our up with catches technology as now, from 100 years normal be will today perhuman su as we see “What provisional. as superhuman being concept of very the but he function, views perhuman bionic and augmentation from design. arise could that abuses preventing with tasked institutions global the advising in lead the taking researchers fellow his sible Herr have foresees kept it benign, and relatively evolution the made Internet ofprotocols pos the that biodiversity. the computer helped set Just as engineers favor that standards for global he advocates and ture, fu immediate the in policymakers consume will abuses New World intowhen scenario.” we get aBrave that’s interventions, —mandates or governmental cial —private interest or public, commer all-powerful an If don’t improvements. own power their have to the choose lose control, when they emerge when individuals gers dan “The saying, dangers, to its potential not him blind evolution.” human our in stage next the just is evolve. This how brains our That’s DNA.... our inherentin humans, inherentin frontier at the is lies to what attraction “The he says. on notion improvement,” by the ofturned human onto offspring. passed be could that change (cellular) germ-line cause could implants advanced because also but evolving, constantly is technology because part in issues ethical serious raise implants notes that private companies, of robot dev ethics on the University State who consults Polytechnic nia aphilosopher Patrick Lin, at Califor lives. saving even for and improving despite potential their hancements worried about en such as themselves cent described 65 70 Center and survey, between per Pew Research a 2016 in blood; synthetic and implants, chip brain Herr’s creative life reveals a fascination with su with afascination Herr’s reveals life creative to ways avoid potential finding that Herr believes does future for this enthusiasm his that He insists “I’m not is frightening. For Herr, scenario this ­e lopment for the U.S. military and and lopment U.S. for military the ------because his prosthetics gave him an advantage. Herr advantage. an him gave prosthetics his because events able-bodied in running from banned should be Pistorius Oscar prodigy track African South whether who researched of experts on team the ample, he served For creates. ex research his that real-world dilemmas ties in the future.” identi own our create all we will which with palette the “enlarging Herr are as such for humanity. Researchers advance an as herself,” this design views and will signer to a world “the lead de which in will he doing today is work the world. of the that Heexperience anticipates their to enhance technology to adapt by humans push evolutionary a evolutionmoregeneral reflects personal he once to adhered. which ethic purist the from on other side spectrum the of the him landed itneed, has opposed to as who of want, to augmentation those gift the commitment to extending passionate his particular, not In lost upon was him. perspective in shift of this pect - as paradoxical The calves. extended and feet wedge as such advantages with to provide himself adapting began quickly he that technologies complex required climbing to return addition, In his search). the during died rescuers (one it of risk the put at great volunteercause the team be especially to arescue, need wounding psychologically help. external all and equipment heavy —disdained nature and mountains of the disrespectful as Himalayas the in traditional of ascent style expeditionary the regarded and oxygen supplemental without Everest Mount ascended who limits. or her his testing nature in being ofperience ahuman ex unmediated the in lay of its appeal, essence the ing, of climb culture For the him, purist. aclimbing been accident on Mount his Before Washington, Herr had Reassessing Purity he asks. he asks. not achievement creative “But superhuman. when does called be also might that Herr does in fact actively engage with some of with the engage actively fact in Herr does view, his his In change. the with atHerr peace is Herr’s vision. He found it this accident shattered

Real Real climbers — like his idol Messner, his Reinhold —like climbers involve superhuman effort?” involve effort?” superhuman ------

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magazine. (Broadway, 2012): A memoir by Hugh wife Herr’s of her experi Herr does not view doesHerr not his own participation in this Resources Cary Funk, Brian Kennedy, and Elizabeth Podrebarac Sciupac, “U.S. Public Wary of Biomedical Technologies to ‘Enhance’ Human Capabilities,” Pew ResearchCenter, 2016: A comprehensive study gaug ing people’s views issues on such as gene editing and brain implants. Patricia Ellis Up: Herr, A Mother and Daughter’s Peakbagging Adventure ences hiking New Hampshire’s 48 highest mountains with her young Alex. daughter, Alison Osius, Second Ascent: The Story of Hugh Herr Books, (Stackpole The harrowing1991): tale injury of Herr’s and recovery, written by a former editor of Climbing More thought leadership this on topic: strategy-business.com/innovation a product of distributed knowledge,” MIT’s Hidalgo distributed MIT’s of a product knowledge,” is are another we tool using “It notes. reshape to our selves, our potential, and our lives.” process as in any a contradiction way profane, or the of purity the of natural tells “The us, Bible ‘blessed order. are those who believe without seeing.’ People who be lieve seeing without create new ideas and mechanisms, so I believe creative humans action is blessed. have We been given this Our universe fixed power. is not it and inscrutable. is will not It comprehensible becomemore as we extend our knowledge. What people now consider mysterious, even magic, will be understood.” Mannequinswearing bionic appendages on display in the offices of the MIT Group Biomechatronics - - - - - Herr hasHerr been a passionate advocate soldiers for The complexity and ubiquity of today’s technology with disabilities and has hard worked ensure to that ad make purity of the notions that cherished once Herr ever harder sustain. to As tool-using animals, humans continuallyhave reshaped their neural connections by performing repetitive the actions required employ to objects they made. have Humans’ evolutionary path has thus been modified and continuallyreshaped by what they themselves create. “Artificial intelligence is always and a colleague their presented findings in an inter national arbitration court, resulting in the reversal of a ban disabled on athletes competing in able-bodied career was events. (Pistorius’s effectively Olympic ended washe when convictedkilling of his inDecember 2015, headed he a teamgirlfriend.) that recently, devel More oped a prosthetic Adrianne for Haslet, a professional ballroomBoston dancer in a leg lost who the 2013 only hasMarathon Not Haslet bombing. to been able also she dance to thecontinue completed competitively, MarathonBoston in 2016. vanced benefits.BionX, prosthetics are VA eligible for the founded, company has he a continuing relationship that makeswith a nonprofit its SoldierStrong, BiOM available vets amputee to may otherwise who be ineli all of percent are 50 it; about used for BiOMs gible by Charlesseverely soldiers. Dr. Carignan, injured CEO of both BionX,withand work, says, the BiOM “Hugh’s with orthotic a powered and we his lab are developing, a standardprovides care of par on with the fully en gives the ability people BiOM abled. walk to their on own,which restores independence.The psychological and emotionalsignificant,of benefitsare thisautonomy especially been have who soldiers traumatized.” for strategy+business magazine is published by certain member firms of the PwC network. To subscribe, visit strategy-business.com or call 1-855-869-4862.

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