Think Robert Downey Jr. running around in a robotic suit is pure fiction?

Think again.

Dr. Paul Zehr, a kinesiology and neuroscience professor at the University of Victoria and researcher at the B.C.-based ICORD centre for spinal-cord research and treatment, is using the premise of Iron Man to introduce the public to real-world advances in science.

“We are heading towards these ideas,” said Zehr, who has written the book Inventing Iron Man: The possibility of a human machine. “We’re getting to the point where all these sciences will start coming together and converge in a place where you could have a robotic suit soon, within the next 30 years.”
Zehr doesn’t have to look much further than his workplace for proof.

At ICORD, physicians use a set of exoskeletal “pants,” known as the Lokomat, on a treadmill to help stroke and spinal-cord-injury victims regain stepping and walking patterns during rehabilitation.

In other parts of the world, scientists have developed technologies that allow people to connect their brains to a machine ‘ for instance, allowing a person to control a mouse cursor with their mind.

The science and ideas behind the advances can be daunting, so Zehr turned to comic books to help explain it to people without dumbing down the subject matter.

“When I say Iron Man, we all have the same image in our head,” he said. “Once we’re thinking in the same terms, we can educate people on how their body works and what’s possible.”

Zehr, who discussed his work at Comic-Con International in San Diego earlier this year, is presenting a free panel on his book and research Tuesday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m. at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre at Vancouver General Hospital.