Taste of Bionics

Every guest is our host Ranga’s favourite guest, of course – but this conversation in particular has him on the edge of his seat: Hugh Herr is a professor at the MIT Media Lab, where he leads the Biomechatronics Group and co-directs the K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics. But first of all, he is known for transferring the whole field: After losing both legs in a climbing accident in 1982, Hugh turned personal adversity into scientific innovation. In this episode of Taste of Bionics, he talks to Ranga about developing advanced prosthetic limbs that integrate with the human nervous system, restoring mobility and enhancing physical capabilities. How do bionic limbs work? What about the future of human-machine interfaces? And what are the challenges in translating lab research to real-world applications? Tune in to discover how technology, resilience, and curiosity can redefine what it means to be human and why Ottobock is at the forefront of enabling that future. Find out more about Ottobock: https://corporate.ottobock.com/en/home

There are tears everyday due to a new spinal cord therapy, shed by everyone involved. But why is that? In this episode of Taste of Bionics, host Ranga Yogeshwar speaks with Dave Marver. He’s the CEO of ONWARD Medical, which is developing breakthrough therapies for people with spinal cord injury. Under Dave’s leadership, ONWARD has earned ten FDA Breakthrough Device Designations. Its first product was named one of TIME magazine’s Best Inventions and recognized among Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas for its potential to transform lives. Together, Dave and Ranga explore dramatic new treatments for spinal cord injuries that are helping patients regain movement, function and independence. Tune in to discover how technology, resilience, and curiosity can redefine what it means to be human.

Coming home from a hard day’s work and still feeling fresh? That is not just a far-out fantasy anymore. In this episode of Taste of Bionics, host Ranga Yogeshwar speaks with Minerva Pillai. She’s a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a Co-founders of SUITX – a startup spun out of UC Berkeley’s Human Engineering & Robotics Lab. Today she is Head of Development in North America for SUITX BY OTTOBOCK, a market leader in industrial exoskeletons that are designed to reduce workplace strain and injuries. Minerva shares her insights as a key driver in translating innovations from academic research into market-ready applications. Together, they explore the challenges that come with researching at the intersection of biomechanics, robotics, ergonomics, and global health technology. Tune in to discover how technology, resilience, and curiosity can redefine what it means to be human and why Ottobock is at the forefront of enabling that future.

What does it take to reinvent yourself after a life-changing accident? In this episode of Taste of Bionics, host Ranga Yogeshwar speaks with John McFall. A paralympic medalist, trauma and orthopedic surgeon and a member of ESA's astronaut reserve taking part in ESA’s “Fly! Project”. Fly! aims to explore whether an astronaut with a physical disability could embark on a long duration mission to the International Space Station and with that to make space missions accessible for all. John shares his extraordinary journey: from losing his leg in a motorcycle accident to becoming one of the fastest sprinters in the world on running blades, to practicing medicine and now training for space exploration with ESA’s Fly! Project. Together, they explore how prosthetic innovation powered John’s remarkable comeback as an elite athlete, why inclusion in science, sports and even space will shape the future and how advanced technologies are redefining human potential. At its core, the conversation is about what life without limits on earth and far beyond can look like. Tune in to discover how technology, resilience, and curiosity can redefine what it means to be human and why Ottobock is at the forefront of enabling that future. Editorial note: In the intro, John McFall is referred to as the first astronaut with a prosthetic limb. He is, however, the first person with a physical disability to receive the medical mission ready status to potentially go on a long-duration mission to the International Space Station. Find out more about Ottobock: https://corporate.ottobock.com/en/home