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Albert Manero
Engineer & Co-Founder of Limbitless Solutions
Albert Manero
Engineer & Co-Founder of Limbitless Solutions
Biography
“We want to make an impact on a global level. When you find that intersection of creativity, inclusion and empathy, it will resonate with others in whatever field you’re in.”
—Dr. Albert Manero
When Dr. Albert Manero was growing up, his parents taught him the importance of making the world a better place. That inspiration has taken form in Limbitless Solutions, a nonprofit devoted to bringing 3-D printed bionic arms and hands to children at no cost to their families. Ever-evolving, the company has since expanded its mission to create bionic arms for adults, prioritizing veterans and first responders. Manero’s vision pairs innovation with compassion and design with scientific purpose, reminding all of us of what technology can achieve through singular vision and charitable spirit.
A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Manero was a graduate student at the University of Central Florida when he heard a radio interview with the man who invented the first 3-D printed artificial hand and learned of the exorbitant cost of prosthetic limbs, which placed them out of reach for most families. Inspired to change the system and disrupt an industry to benefit children in need, he and his colleagues founded Limbitless Solutions.
Harnessing the power of cross-team collaboration and using the power of STEAM to change children’s lives, Dr. Manero is a visionary social entrepreneur, educator, humanitarian, engineer, and superhero to hundreds of “bionic kids” who have benefited from his mission to make 3-D printed bionic prosthetic limbs accessible to all. Teaming engineers with artists, marketers with game designers and more, Limbitless Solutions has become a case study in innovative and interdisciplinary design. Using empathy as a guide, Dr. Manero brings a heart-touching story of the difference that one person with vision can make in the world, while championing the art—and highly human impact—of science, technology, engineering and math.
Only a year later, his company developed and donated its first prosthetic arm. Dr. Manero’s work quickly captured the attention of the media, Microsoft’s The Collective Project, and even actor Robert Downey Jr. In a viral video that has been seen by billions, Downey presented a Limbitless-designed Ironman-themed prosthetic to a seven-year-old boy with a congenital deformity, who dreamed of having a bionic arm like the Marvel superhero. A Spiderman-inspired arm followed for an eight-year-old boy, as well as a flower arm for a young girl who aspires to be a marine biologist. Dr. Manero also worked with UCF’s School of Visual Arts students and faculty to develop training video games, which help kids hone the skills necessary to use their bionic prosthetics.
Leveraging students’ creativity and a small, but innovative staff, Limbitless is funded primarily through partnerships and private donations. The team is also working with the Mayo Clinic to test a wheelchair for those diagnosed with ALS, quadriplegia, and spinal cord injuries that can be driven and controlled by clenching one’s jaw and facial muscles. Other projects include developing video game technology for use in stroke rehabilitation. Through this life-changing work, Dr. Manero aims to reshape the perception of science by infusing art, humanity and aesthetics into an area typically viewed as “cold” or dehumanizing.
Dr. Manero’s inspiring talks speak from the nexus of innovation, teamwork, art, science, engineering and heart-touching storytelling and he tailors his presentations to each audience. His vision and passion champion the idea that science and technology — and the men and women who pursue those professions — are superheroes that can serve as a force for good in the world. As he says, “It’s very fulfilling to work together and to bring diverse perspectives together to make tomorrow brighter. We can accomplish so much more together.”
In keeping with Limbitless Solutions’ humanitarian and philanthropic mission, speaking fees are directed to supporting this life-changing work.
Speaker Videos
Bionics for Humanity: Disability is Not An Option
RPI Union Speaker Forum 2016
Limbitless Solutions - Iron Man Delivers a Prosthetic Arm
Limbitless Solutions - Blue Man Group Delivers Prosthetic Arm
The Collective Project: Printing 3D Miracles for Kids
Finding the ‘Why’ of Mathematics and Engineering
Speech Topics
Leveraging the Power of Interdisciplinary Teamwork
Limbitless Solutions has shown the world that it takes a village to disrupt an industry. They’ve also shown how innovation can be fueled by bringing together a wide range of expertise and talent, vs. relying on one discipline. Teaming engineers with artists, marketers with game designers and more, the company has become a case study in innovative, interdisciplinary design. As Dr. Manero says, “It’s rare to see so many different majors working together under one roof.” Limbitless Solutions has also created partnerships with other organizations — from the Mayo Clinic to game designers—to further expand their scope and offerings. Sharing invaluable lessons on how to leverage the power of cross-collaboration and optimally manage diverse teams, this presentation provides leaders the inspiration and applicable takeaways they need to lead their teams into the fast-changing future.
Albert Manero, Iron Man & Becoming A STEAM Superhero
Are there really scientists and engineers doing futuristic work in bionics like Tony Stark and Iron Man? Yes! Visionary engineer Dr. Albert Manero’s team created a prosthetic arm that Robert Downey Jr. presented to a young Iron Man fan. For real! Where does all this genius work begin? With STEAM education — emphasis on the “A” for “Art.” STEAM fosters critical thinking, grows creativity and, as Dr. Manero exemplifies, can literally change lives. In this highly engaging talk, he explains how careers in STEAM are within every student’s reach — "STEAM is for everyone.” Dr. Manero inspires students to become the next generation of scientists, engineers, creators, and real-life superheroes. He also encourages teachers to help STEAM students thrive in active, hands-on learning environments that celebrate the human impact STEAM careers can have. Manero says it is important to inspire the next generation of innovators and that starts early. A real-life superhero himself, Manero donates his speaking proceeds towards providing free prosthetic limbs for children and adults in need.
Social Entrepreneurship: Doing Well by Doing Good
One of the prime directives of Limbitless Solutions is to use science and engineering as a tool to help other people, effecting positive change at both community and global levels. In this inspiring presentation, Dr. Manero tells the Limbitless Solutions story as a case study in effective social entrepreneurship. He recounts how the company went from a visionary idea — providing free bionic arms to children in need — to a breakthrough organization. He disrupted an industry by producing prosthetic limbs that once cost $40,000+, for only $750 in hardware. Sharing inspiring stories of overcoming challenges and finding breakthrough solutions, Dr. Manero motivates individuals and organizations to follow their passions to do well by doing good.
Ensuring Accessibility in the Metaverse
The blending of digital and physical life in the future of Metaverse provides unlimited potential for new forms of engagement and expression. However real questions remain for how to secure accessibility and inclusion to the platform for individuals with accessibility needs. By leveraging the lessons learned from communities focused on gaming with disability, Dr. Albert Manero focuses the conversation on new ways to think about the human machine interface. Conversations on the potential challenges for those with limb differences and other inclusion points drive discussion on the future of the Metaverse.
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