Michael Goldfarb, named by Popular Mechanics as one of the “10 Innovators Who Changed the World in 2013,” will deliver the March 25 Chancellor’s Lecture at Vanderbilt University.
Goldfarb, holder of the H. Fort Flowers Chair in Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt, is renowned for his work in developing robotic adaptive equipment for people with disabilities. He will discuss “Minimizing Physical Disability with Robotic Arms, Legs and Exoskeletons” beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Light Hall, Room 208, on the Vanderbilt campus. A reception will precede the lecture from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Light Hall North Lobby.
As part of the lecture, Goldfarb will demonstrate the revolutionary “bionic” prosthetics he has developed, including a robotic leg that reproduces the natural movement of a human leg; a robotic hand with a dexterity that approaches that of the human hand; and an advanced exoskeleton that allows paraplegics to stand up and walk. Hailed as an “electromechanical medical miracle,” Goldfarb’s Indego Exoskeleton empowers individuals with spinal cord injuries who were previously confined to a wheelchair to stand, walk and even climb stairs.
The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-seated basis.
Parking will be available on the rooftop level of Central Garage, located at 1410 Medical Center Drive near the intersection of Pierce Avenue.
Goldfarb’s lecture will be the final Chancellor’s Lecture of the 2013-14 academic year. The Vanderbilt Chancellor’s Lecture Series strives to connect the university and the Nashville community with intellectuals who are shaping our world. For more information about the series, visit vanderbilt.edu/chancellor/lecture-series, email cls@vanderbilt.edu, call (615) 322-0885 or follow on Twitter @VUCLS.