%2FMask%20Group%2012.png?alt=media&token=2e8e518e-3b61-41b9-9039-17113b3d85a6)
2021-2022
Year in Review
A New Era of #3Dhope
From launching new clinical studies to growing the team to its largest size ever, new goals were surpassed.
Continue reading
From launching new clinical studies to growing the team to its largest size ever, new goals were surpassed.
%2FPhoto.png?alt=media&token=c0709747-a8c5-43fb-b5c8-d9e34e8c2a60)
It all began at a kitchen table. Eight years ago the Limbitless team gathered around that table to do the final checks on the first bionic arm prior to Alex Pring’s trip to the UCF campus. The previous weeks had been challenging as the design evolved to best fit and respond to its new owner. In those moments, the dream for Limbitless was born. Launched by the smiles and the enthusiasm of Alex and family as they exchanged hugs when using the bionic arm for the first time, the mission of Limbitless became clear.
Limbitless Solutions was created to empower individuals with limb difference. As the team listened to the bionic kids’ feedback, they knew it was important to turn the exterior of the bionic arm into a canvas that matched the expression of the person wearing it. This led our team to challenge and break the mold for what a prosthetic limb could be.
%2FMask%20Group%2031.png?alt=media&token=bfecc02e-29f7-4f01-aad4-8c7116da0722)
Over the past eight years, undergraduate students have been at the core of the program. Each semester at least 30 to 40 students have been responsible for sparking creativity. With each new voice added, the technology and the art of the bionic arm has strengthened. The student program, formally the Limbitless Scholars program, provides a platform for students to put into practice their academic skills — and their passion.
Limbitless Solutions continued its growth, beginning the fiscal year in the new 5,000+ sq. ft. facility. With the launch of new clinical studies to the largest team ever, Limbitless achieved — and surpassed — its goals.
%2FPut%20New%20Facility%20Photos%20Here.png?alt=media&token=3778de93-f879-4712-9869-69bdd06eda4f)
Limbitless Solutions celebrated its seventh year by moving into the new expanded 5,000+ square foot facility in the Central Florida Research Park in September 2021.
“The new facility triples our space with a dedicated manufacturing area, enlarged K-12 outreach section and enhanced student collaboration zone,” says Limbitless Solutions CEO and President Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD. “We are incredibly grateful to our partners and donors who made this new location possible. As we look back on our start, we would have never imagined the impact the program would have on so many. With the community’s support, we intend to continue to scale the impact and excellence of the program. We cannot wait to see the new facility supporting families.”
The newly renovated space was covered by philanthropy and sponsorship funds. The location is just off of UCF’s main campus and is accessible for UCF students via the UCF Shuttle.
%2FMask%20Group%2020.png?alt=media&token=e402305a-e74c-4273-9719-82c724957311)
%2FSpaceGraphic.JPG?alt=media&token=1db85211-a869-482d-8929-1f152b03821f)
Dedicated manufacturing and automotive paint facilities
Full assembly line for Food and Drug Administration clearance
Educational outreach center for K-12 student engagement
Expanded student collaboration space to grow program
%2FOH_APH_Double_Line_Stacked_RGB_square.png?alt=media&token=2d56470b-227c-43b9-82fa-02de716d9614)
%2FMask%20Group%2023.png?alt=media&token=5ac6d4df-c541-41dc-a73d-bfe60418ff85)
Limbitless Solutions and Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children (OHAP) are launching a national study — the first based in Florida for Limbitless — to evaluate the effectiveness of video game-based training for helping children learn to use prosthetic arms. Limbitless provides the bionic arms and video game training system while OHAP will provide occupational therapists who will work with the children during the 14 month trial. OHAP pediatric orthopedic surgeon Mark Birnbaum M.D. serves as the principal investigator for the study.
The study includes up to 20 children from around the country, with an emphasis on recruiting in Central Florida, and is open to children ages 7-17 of all genders. There is no cost to participate, though funds to offset travel to the study sites at the hospital and UCF to meet with the study team are limited.
The announcement of a new, first-of-its-kind clinical trial to examine how the brain adapts to advanced bionic arms in children born without a limb and to improve children’s control of their prosthetic. The study will be led by Limbitless Solutions, Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville, and Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville. The joint effort brings together expertise from pediatric research, neuroradiology, and bionics.
The four-month clinical trial will examine if Limbitless’ prosthetic — paired with its custom training video game — will impact the motor control center of the brain. Researchers will closely monitor changes in the signals sent from the brain to the muscle groups directing the bionics’ movement by using advanced functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques (fMRI) before and after prosthetic use and training. Researchers will also use a method known as tractography — where MRI scans visualize the nerve pathways — to identify new or more robust pathways resulting from the training.
This study uniquely leverages video game based training that converts muscle flexing into the video game character’s actions. The development of these games are led by UCF faculty members Matt Dombrowski ‘05 ’08 MFA with UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design and Peter Smith ’05 MS ’12 PhD with UCF’s Nicholson School of Communication and Media.
%2Flogos.png?alt=media&token=6128a674-e39a-4542-a1bd-67b25e8783a1)
%2FGroup%201431%20replacement.png?alt=media&token=8c193b3c-aea9-4889-8834-22fc5d286891)
The partnership with Oregon Health and Science University on Limbitless’ first clinical trial concludes as of September 5th, 2022. The OHSU and Limbitless teams continued into year three of the one-year clinical trial and continued to support the families via telehealth throughout the pandemic.
%2FFURC.png?alt=media&token=fb4a834c-9aa1-4d45-b322-4eb56a02ad83)
Limbitless’ research students presented at February’s Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC) on novel research on gamified training for prosthetics usage. FURC is one of the nation’s largest multidisciplinary research conferences, and is open to all Florida undergraduate students to present their findings in a poster format.
Research students at Limbitless collaborated with faculty on their poster presentation for FURC, titled “Utilizing Electromyographic (EMG) Video Games Controllers to Improve Outcomes for Prosthesis Users.” The year-long research evaluates the effectiveness of a custom EMG video game controller and the game mode used between pre- and post-tests by splitting participants into two different groups. The study focuses on the mobile video game, Limbitless Runner, developed in-house and now available in app stores.
The Limbitless student researchers are interdisciplinary - coming from various backgrounds and specialties - creating a special opportunity to collaborate with peers outside of their major. UCF undergraduate researchers include: Shea McLinden (Health Sciences); Calvin MacDonald (Health Sciences); Devon Lynn (Biomedical Sciences); Katherine Tran (Health Sciences); and Kelsey Robinson (Statistics).
Faculty and staff representing the UCF Colleges of Engineering and Computer Science [CECS], Arts and Humanities [CAH], and Sciences [COS] support the research development. Professors Matt Dombrowski and Peter Smith, PhD have focused on the gamified training component of the Limbitless program.
%2FMask%20Group%2026.png?alt=media&token=05470bcd-e7fc-4870-9f44-8db1ce302102)
Limbitless President and Co-founder Albert Manero and Limbitless Student Assistant and UCF Undergraduate Researcher Shea McLinden were the keynote speakers at the 2022 FURC conference. They shared about how interdisciplinary research and STEAM collaboration at Limbitless has led to innovation in electromyographic (EMG) bionics born out of UCF students and grown into a full facility to support more exposure to undergraduate research and continued community impact.
%2FMask%20Group%2027.png?alt=media&token=416e9487-dc65-4567-be7f-08390b60f302)
%2FMask%20Group%2028.png?alt=media&token=d08994c2-8b6d-405f-8a22-f9fb7cd9c344)
%2FMask%20Group%2029.png?alt=media&token=63254e1d-2152-4188-aeca-2fdb983ad720)
%2FPhoto%20Placeholder%201.png?alt=media&token=23415b5d-72ee-4a7b-bafc-c85014542cd6)
The Summer 2022 semester for Limbitless Solutions marked the largest group of UCF undergraduate students to join the team since the formalized student program’s creation in 2019. Limbitless Solutions welcomed 24 new student scholars whose perspectives shape the atmosphere of innovation this summer semester. Including returning team members, the program totaled 48 students for the Summer 2022 term. All Limbitless students bring a unique set of skills, perspective, and thoughtfulness to the program and it wouldn’t be the same without them.
“We are thrilled to welcome our largest class of students to the program and believe the unique disciplines and perspectives are paramount to the culture of innovation developing to support our bionic families,” says Albert Manero, Limbitless Solutions president and co-founder.
Burnett Honors College
"Participating in the professional cohort really helped me gain a better understanding of the professional world as well as how to act in a professional environment — beyond just how to write resumes and cover letters."
Summer 2022 Intern
Limbitless’ student program gives undergraduate students real world hands-on experience with focus on their discipline of study in an interdisciplinary environment while endeavoring to create well rounded professionals. In a student’s first semester of their Limbitless experience, they attend the Professionalism Toolkit Cohort — a semester-long cohort program that uses videos and weekly 30-minute small group discussions. Moderated by leadership and led through dynamic conversations of the student’s insights, the cohort focuses the students on making meaningful connections to their interdisciplinary peers and designing their “professional brand,” while getting acclimated with professional standards. The cohort was designed to focus on accelerating the improvement of our undergraduates toward future success as professionals, graduate researchers and industry leaders.
%2FMask%20Group%2032.png?alt=media&token=e6c44917-f431-4d4b-838b-7fb6f3dbf388)
%2FMask%20Group%2033.png?alt=media&token=645227b0-4722-401f-816a-1d7d1e48ede8)
%2FMask%20Group%2034.png?alt=media&token=ff07a5e9-d2e2-45de-96a9-f5f20811503b)
%2Flogo.png?alt=media&token=f4e05c30-4e35-4acf-9650-de696ed7b539)
%2FMask%20Group%2035.png?alt=media&token=7047d5dd-30e4-41d7-b5a9-c8b6bdea0b10)
Limbitless returned in-person to Sunshine State Scholars in support of the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). President Albert Manero was the Keynote speaker at the event and Student Scholars Rotem Miara and Lourdgenie LaMothe, with Director of Administration, Operations and Outreach Angie Carloss, led students through our “claw project” — an exercise that required collaboration and STEM skills. This is the seventh year that Limbitless has participated in the event, including having helped arrange a virtual event during the pandemic.
Limbitless is committed to creating impact in the world through STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics — experiences that integrate compassion with the development of bionic arms that are functional AND expressive and personalized through art and creativity. Our dedication to an inclusive environment for breaking barriers and stereotypes within STEAM environments. Early exposure through K-12 experiences benefit children working in all STEAM disciplines at a younger age.
The Limbitless facility hosted a girl scout troop with girls from grade two to grade eight, experiencing what it means to be “STEAM,” and use their creativity to complete a special project to simulate our bionic arms. Limbitless endeavors to host more Girl Scouts and K-12 events in the future to inspire the next generation of innovators.
%2FGroup%2014311.png?alt=media&token=af2e565c-5a11-4b78-aa7f-66b2e7df6ced)
%2FFireShot%20Capture%20113%20-%20United%20Nations%20-%20Peace%2C%20dignity%20and%20equality%20%7BBR%7Don%20a%20healthy%20planet_%20-%20www.un.org.png?alt=media&token=6360db98-217f-446f-942a-4e5fd86ea41d)
%2FMask%20Group%2037.png?alt=media&token=9cd665ed-8e40-4d1c-9bc4-e5e7007ed61a)
Mechanical engineering student, athlete, and Limbitless intern Madison Adams is making a global impact. Adams and Limbitless co-founder Albert Manero recently spoke with delegates from the United Nations about inequalities in sports at the second “Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on the Role of Sport in Addressing Inequalities in Times of Crisis and Recovery,” which was hosted virtually by the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Inclusive Social Development. This is the fifth time Limbitless representatives have spoken at the United Nations.
%2FGroup%201480%20replacement.png?alt=media&token=f4de0015-3cf8-42d4-8201-402c770fb739)
The Orlando Business Journal (OBJ) awarded 25 local companies with the newspaper’s inaugural Inno Fire Awards. The awards recognized companies for their innovation, growth, and impact in the Central Florida region. Top winners in five categories – based on their years in business – were named 2022 Blazers, rewarded with red blazers. Limbitless Solutions took the top Blazer award in the Established Players category (businesses in operation 8 to 10 years).
Limbitless Solutions was a finalist for the Florida Sterling Manufacturing Business Excellence Award, which recognizes the state’s best manufacturers based on a rigorous assessment process led by industry experts. A panel rated more than 160 nominees in the areas of leadership, strategy, customer service, measurements, analysis and knowledge management, workforce, and operations. The 23 finalists are considered models for the state. Limbitless Solutions was one of two Orlando-based finalists.
%2FGroup%201479.png?alt=media&token=961271bd-3ee5-438f-bfec-ebe976b5cbe3)
%2FBionic%20Kid%20Photos.png?alt=media&token=e613fc7f-4a83-447e-9ca2-47b0c7eaf38c)
Two brothers teamed up on a kindness crusade. Thirteen-year-old bionic kid Zachary Pamboukas, and his older brother Christo, published not one - but two - superhero comic books designed and illustrated by Professors Matt Dombrowski and Victor Davila from the UCF School of Visual Arts & Design and the Limbitless team. The books were created with two goals: to create a story where the main character was a hero with limb difference, and to raise enough money to “pay it forward” for a future bionic kid to get their own bionic arm.
Four years after their start in 2021, the Pamboukas family surpassed their $10,000 goal - raising $11,000 from donations and comic book sales. With boosts from two Hollywood actors and multiple Fortune 500 companies, the June 2022 total had reached almost $13,000. Zachary continues to prove that anyone can be a superhero.
%2FPayitForwardDonation.PNG?alt=media&token=e3b806d1-6d57-4343-9abc-356d96acc22d)
%2FMask%20Group%2045.png?alt=media&token=9f576ce5-d44d-46e0-9033-23f7b9820683)
"Limbitless is one of the many areas on campus that allows for true collaboration across so many different disciplines. I’ve always loved that the perspectives of everyone from artists and designers like me to scientists and entrepreneurs are equally valid and cherished here."
Director of Branding at Limbitless
%2FGroup%201432.png?alt=media&token=e2c1e773-8ca2-4c80-9d0d-be3d99911102)
Limbitless was a featured segment in the UCF episode of The College Tour, a series on Amazon Prime focused on what life is like on college campuses across the nation. As one of the elements that makes UCF great, Limbitless’ interdisciplinary impact showcases what Knights can do.
Project Lead The Way, a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for PreK-12 students and teachers across the U.S., visited Limbitless to feature Limbitless President and co-founder Albert Manero, an alumnus of the program.
%2FGroup%2014313.png?alt=media&token=fdcd408c-1065-4e4b-8f12-a4c81118193c)
%2FGroup%2014321.png?alt=media&token=9f9a5424-a6f7-453e-8d7d-1add8afec260)
Limbitless was featured in the “Orlando is Unbelievably Real” campaign by Visit Orlando, alongside Disney, Luminar, and those that make our hometown great. This national campaign highlights Limbitless’ “cutting edge technology,” exposing a larger audience to Limbitless and UCF innovations.
Limbitless was featured on the April 2022 cover of PMM (Plastics Machinery and Manufacturing) magazine, highlighting the ability of hybrid manufacturing to make an impact on people’s lives while also the power of partnership with Stratasys and Tormach.
%2FGroup%2014314.png?alt=media&token=e69c0746-0c8b-464b-9820-efe2a09e1377)
"Our customers are always showing us new and inventive ways to use our equipment. This case is no different, but what makes us more proud is the impact on lives that this is making."
Americas Education Manager at Stratasys
"We truly feel like what Albert [Manero] and the Limbitless folks are bringing to the world is fantastic.... Not only are they providing children with bionic arms, but they are making it fun for the kids."
Marketing Director for Tormach
%2FMask%20Group%2050.png?alt=media&token=0374bcfd-5a17-4670-bf98-feb2633b64be)
%2FMask%20Group%2051%20replacement.png?alt=media&token=a92cacd3-4957-43ae-83fe-a9114b36ef7b)
%2FMask%20Group%2052.png?alt=media&token=4e51fd13-e9dc-41bc-9a95-cf16023fc7b7)
The 2022 campaign focused on raising money to provide 25 tablets for use by bionic families during their clinical trial experience - particularly to create access to equitable technology. The tablets are used for bionic arm calibration, training games, and evaluation. Additional funds raised help bionic families by covering other clinical trial costs or funding impactful undergraduate student internship experiences.
%2FDayofGiving2022.PNG?alt=media&token=31b4b577-def5-40e0-9950-ac48cf0a08cf)
Areas where you can support Limbitless' mission
As with everything we do with Limbitless, this inclusion and empowerment would not be possible without your support, our invaluable donors, and our industry partners.
Limbitless’ continued expansion can’t be done without you! There are many ways for you to create impact with us.
SUPPORT OUR MISSIONGet the overview of Limbitless Solutions. Learn about our mission, story, and ways to support.
HomeGet to know the companies, organizations, and foundations who are also behind our mission.
PartnersInterested in joining our diverse team? Each semester we work with University of Central Florida undergraduate students from a variety of majors.
internships