Becoming a Cyborg: Modern Technology and Applications

Introduction to Cyborgs

• Basic Concept: Combining human biology with technology to enhance or restore abilities.
• Process: Involves having a human body undergo modifications or enhancements through technology.

Real-life Cybernetic Enhancements

1. Bionic Eyes

• History: Began in 1978 with engineer William Dobelle's work on artificial vision.
  • Technique involved electrically stimulating the visual cortex to perceive phosphene light.
  • Created a dot matrix system that allowed patients to perceive shapes, even enabling a blind patient to drive.
  • Despite initial success, poor documentation hindered progress after Dobelle's death.
• Modern Advancements: Devices like Argus 2 enable reading large text and potentially other advanced features like recording memories or streaming feeds.

2. Non-Human Sense Augmentation

Magnetic Sense

• Procedure: Implant a magnet in the finger to detect magnetic fields.
  • Could be useful for electricians to sense magnetic fields and voltages.
• Limitations: Risk of demagnetization, issues with MRI machines and airport security.

Color Sense

• Case Study: Neil Harbisson, who was born colorblind, received an implant allowing him to "hear" colors.
  • The implant involves a camera and a sound vibration sensor that converts colors to sounds.
  • Can detect infrared and ultraviolet light.

3. Cyborg Sensory Devices

• North Sense: Chest implant vibrating when facing north.
• Cento: Proximity sensor vibrating near another user.
• Seismic Sense: Vibrates with earth movements.

Telepathic Communication

• Human-Brain Interface: Neuralink is developing brain-computer interfaces allowing paralyzed patients to control devices with their minds.
  • Uses electrode threads to map brain signals to computer interfaces.
• Brain-to-Brain Communication: Potential to read and transmit messages between brains via computer interfaces.
• Bluetooth Communication: Neil Harbisson and a companion could communicate in Morse code by tapping teeth.

Bionic Limbs

• Inspiration: Hugh Herr, a double amputee, became a pioneer in bionic limbs, designing versatile prosthetics for climbing.
  • His work at MIT focuses on brain-controlled bionic limbs and synthetic skin.
• Challenges: Interfacing bionic limbs with human skin due to sweat, chafing, and proprioception challenges.
  • Solutions like synthetic skin and osseointegration are being explored.

Notable Applications

• Drummer Jason Barnes: Uses a bionic arm with dual drumsticks for unique drumming abilities.
• Jesse Sullivan: Early cyborg with a nerve-controlled bionic arm.
• Innovations by Psionic: Prosthetic arms capable of powerful actions, such as punching through barriers.

Conclusion

• The field of cybernetic enhancements is rapidly evolving, offering new possibilities for augmenting human abilities and overcoming disabilities.
• Continued research and development are crucial for overcoming current limitations and achieving seamless integration.

End of Notes. Feel free to revisit for a summary of key points related to cyborg technology and applications.