Dr. Hugh Herr, a double amputee after a rock climbing accident, now heads the Biomechatronics research group at the MIT Media Lab. He is creating bionic prostheses that emulate natural limbs—and are having a dramatic impact on eliminating disabilities and empowering people. The “Leader of the Bionic Age” according to TIME magazine, his work in the emerging field of biomechatronics—technology that marries human physiology with electromechanics—is revolutionizing the way we approach human limitations.
Ed Viesturs : Mountaineer
Ed Viesturs is America’s leading high altitude mountaineer, having climbed many of the world’s most challenging summits, including ascending Mount Everest six times. He recently completed a 16-year quest to climb all 14 of the world’s highest mountains (above 8,000 meters) without the use of supplemental oxygen. In doing so, he became the first American and the 5th person in the world to accomplish this. He reached the summit of his 14th peak, Annapurna, on May 12, 2005.