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The Dawn of the Bionic Man

^{Published on 2024-12-10 18:51:31 - The New Yorker}
 

• Rivka Galchen reports on revolutionary prosthetics. Plus: the best TV of 2024; remembering Nikki Giovanni; and are you overreacting?

The article from *The New Yorker* discusses the innovative work of Dr. Hugh Herr, a biophysicist at MIT, who is developing advanced prosthetic limbs. These prosthetics are designed to integrate seamlessly with the human body, allowing for intuitive control and movement. Herr, who lost both legs in a climbing accident, has personal experience with prosthetics and aims to create limbs that can "read" the user's intentions through neural signals. His research involves creating a bionic leg that can interpret muscle signals and brain activity to enable natural walking, running, and even climbing. The article highlights how Herr's work could revolutionize the lives of amputees by providing limbs that not only mimic but also enhance human capabilities, potentially allowing for superhuman feats. This technology represents a significant leap from traditional prosthetics, which often require conscious effort to operate, towards a future where artificial limbs could be controlled as effortlessly as natural ones.

Read the Full The New Yorker Article at:
[ https://www.newyorker.com/newsletter/the-daily/a-leg-that-can-read-its-users-mind ]

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