A 31-year-old man who lost a leg during a motorcycle crash climbed a 103-floor Chicago tower with the assistance of a bionic leg, according to published reports.
Zac Vawter worked with people who hold physical therapy jobs in preparation for climbing one of the world's tallest buildings, The Associated Press reports. He achieved the accomplishment on Sunday with assistance from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, CNN reports.
His leg responds to electrical impulses from his hamstring. Thinking about climbing the stairs prompted the apparatus to work together to synchronize muscles and movement in his ankle and knee.
The researchers who worked with him have high hopes and plan to continue toiling on work for the bionic leg, The Associated Press reports. They plan to present the fruits of their study to the market within a few years.
"Somewhere down the road, it will benefit me and I hope it will benefit a lot of other people as well," Vawter told the news source regarding research performed at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapists help people improve movement after injuries and illnesses.