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MIT Prof Predicts the End of Disabilities In Next 50 Years

Posted by samzenpus on from the gentlemen-we-can-rebuild-him dept.

judgecorp writes "MIT professor Hugh Herr describes how technology can end disability in 50 years — with a big incentive from the need to support injured war veterans. A champion climber, Herr lost both legs below the knee, returned to climbing and designed improved climbing prostheses. From the article: 'Herr believes the work he is doing won’t just have humanitarian benefits. There’s money to be made too. And if there’s a market here, it means more people will receive help. Despite all the horrors and injustices the Iraq and Afghanistan wars spawned, they have helped make the biomechatronics industry a lot more viable. Back in 2007, Herr gave Garth Stewart, a 24-year-old Army veteran who lost his left leg below the knee during the conflict in Iraq, a bionic ankle. It used tendon-like springs and an electric motor to provide support for Stewart.'"

5 of 190 comments (clear)

  1. And flying cars and moon bases too, yeah, yeah by crazyjj · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I predict that 50 years from now, we'll realize that all long-term predictions made in 2012 turned out to be wrong.

    As for the bionic limb prediction specifically, I've been hearing that my whole life. We always seem to be right on the edge of every amputee having bionic limbs. And yet decade after decade passes and, with the exception of a few prototypes here and there along the way, they all still seem to be wearing the same basic hooks and passive limbs that they've had forever (albeit much improved and lighter versions). Steve Austin, with his bionic limbs, is like a mirage that's always just up ahead--but never seems to actually get any closer.

    --
    What political party do you join when you don't like Bible-thumpers *or* hippies?
    1. Re:And flying cars and moon bases too, yeah, yeah by Sir_Sri · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Apparently, despite all of the people who are injured in road accidents, left over land mines, general mishaps that befall the population etc, the key to moving technology forward is to have 30 or 40 000 soldiers injured.

    2. Re:And flying cars and moon bases too, yeah, yeah by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yes and Motor Neurones, Spinabifida, MS and a whole load of other conditions aren't disabilities now.

      The MIT guy is talking about one small part of a massive group of conditions.

      Heres a cheaper and easier way to end disabilities from wars... Stop sending soldiers into war over other people's greed.

    3. Re:And flying cars and moon bases too, yeah, yeah by Qzukk · · Score: 5, Insightful

      they all still seem to be wearing the same basic hooks and passive limbs that they've had forever

      That's what their insurance covers.

      --
      If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
  2. The end of disability? by mcgrew · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't see any indication that spinal cord or brain injuries or birth defects will be gone in fifty years.

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