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A cyborg is an individual enhanced through the integration of electronic or mechanical devices, often involving implants. Once a fixture of fictional films, TV shows, and comic books, the concept of cyborgs is now turning into reality. With the rise of transformative technologies, science fiction is gradually becoming science fact, offering new ways to enhance and augment our bodies.
From microchips that store ID information to advanced contact lenses that do far more than improve eyesight, and from smart bones to augmented eyeballs, we've compiled a list of 10 technologies that are making cyborgs more real than ever before.
10. Robotic Exoskeleton
Roam Robotics, led by Tim Swift, is at the forefront of inflatable robotic exoskeleton development. The company offers two cutting-edge products: Ascend, a medical device, and Forge, designed for consumer use.
Ascend is a wearable robotic support designed to alleviate knee pain and enhance mobility. As stated on their website, Ascend has helped users gain improved mobility, provided pain relief, and boosted confidence. The product is FDA-approved and adapts to the user’s needs in real-time. With Ascend, users are able to perform tasks that would otherwise be impossible due to knee limitations.
Roam Robotics’ second innovation, Forge, aims to amplify human performance. Its potential applications extend to firefighters, military personnel, police officers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Weighing lightly, Forge straps directly onto the user’s leg and is equipped with control software, which activates power when needed and remains inactive at other times. As Roam Robotics declares, 'Our mission is to improve human performance.' Daily use of Forge is enhancing athletic capabilities. Roam Robotics’ inflatable exoskeletons serve as tangible examples of how we are evolving closer to becoming cyborgs.
9. Artificial Heart
The FDA granted approval to Carmat's artificial heart, known as AESON, in February 2021. This milestone marked the first instance in U.S. history where a patient received a fully artificial heart transplant. Designed for individuals with biventricular heart failure, the device assists in pumping blood when the natural heart is unable to do so. While currently a temporary solution for patients awaiting traditional heart transplants, the goal for Carmat’s artificial hearts is to increase their lifespan, potentially lasting years in the future.
The AESON device functions in a way that sets it apart from other artificial hearts. It includes automatic adjustments that respond to biological signals, regulating blood flow and rate accordingly. Common complications with heart transplants, such as strokes and blood clots, are addressed in Carmat’s design, which incorporates a biological lining sourced from cows. The AESON system is powered by a battery pack that the patient carries at all times, which connects to the device through the skin. Additionally, AESON provides patients with easy access to their blood pressure levels, offering vital reassurance.
8. Pacemaker
A pacemaker is a device designed to regulate irregular heartbeats and prevent related complications. The electronic pacemaker was invented in 1958 by Dr. William Chardack, Dr. Andrew Gage, and engineer Wilson Greatbatch. In 1960, the first electronic pacemaker was implanted into an elderly man, who lived with it for ten months without complications. He might have been the very first cyborg!
Since their invention, pacemakers have undergone significant advancements and are now commonly used by millions of individuals. Today, pacemakers are so widespread that they are considered standard medical devices. However, users of these devices are acutely aware of their 'cyborg' nature. Pacemaker wearers must avoid exposure to x-ray machines, microwaves, and even cell phones. A malfunctioning pacemaker can pose severe risks, including strokes or heart failure.
7. IQ Buds
I admit, I was intrigued by the name too! But no, IQ Buds and IQ Buds Boost do not enhance your intelligence. These hearing aids were created by David Cannington, co-founder of Nuheara. Nuheara is an Australian company dedicated to revolutionizing hearing by offering personalized, multifunctional, and affordable hearing solutions to a global market that has long been underserved. IQ Buds and IQ Buds Boost are the company's flagship products. Released in 2016 and 2018, respectively, these devices are designed to improve hearing and reduce background noise.
IQ Buds allow users to amplify desired sounds and minimize unwanted noise. Although not a direct substitute for hearing aids, they share some similar features. Much like traditional wireless earbuds, IQ Buds connect to a device via Bluetooth. Users can choose from different settings, such as “Plane,” “Street,” and “Restaurant,” designed to reduce background noise typical to those environments. IQ Buds are one of the more affordable cyborg-like enhancements available. The latest model, the IQbuds2 MAX, is currently priced at $499 on Nuheara’s website.
6. Contact Lenses That Monitor Glucose Levels
Unlike many other cyborg devices, this innovation came from a well-known company. In 2014, Google (you may have heard of them) patented a digital contact lens. Although it could lead to various technological breakthroughs, its initial purpose was to track blood sugar (glucose) levels in diabetic patients.
These groundbreaking contact lenses feature sensors embedded in the center of the lens. Imagine a sandwich—the lenses are the bread, and the tiny sensor is the filling. The lenses also include a tiny hole that allows the user’s tears to reach the sensor. The sensor then sends the data to another device, providing an easy way for diabetic patients to monitor their blood sugar levels. Unlike the traditional method of pricking fingers multiple times a day, Google’s lenses are giving diabetic patients a more convenient and brighter future.
5. A Microchip That Can Store Data in Your Hands
With smartphones and devices constantly within reach, it often feels as though the world is literally at your fingertips. While this is typically just a figure of speech, some individuals have taken it to heart. The first known person to implant microchips in her hands was Australian scientist Shanit Korporaal. In 2016, she embedded two microchips into her hands, eliminating the need to carry IDs, credit cards, and other essentials. These chips even store passwords, allowing her to log into her computer and websites seamlessly.
This action sparked a cultural shift, particularly in Australia. Korporaal is credited with founding the “biohacker” movement. One of the movement's key supporters, the Swedish company Epicenter, began implanting microchips into employees in 2015 using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, as reported by CNBC.com. These microchips are passive, meaning they do not collect new information.
4. Smart Bones
IBI, a biotech firm based in Switzerland, developed a bone substitute that mimics the structure of natural human bone. This innovation, named SmartBone, was introduced in 2012. According to their website, SmartBone is crafted by combining a bovine (cow) mineral bone matrix with bioresorbable polymers and collagen fragments.
The SmartBone is designed to closely resemble human bone in both structure and function. IBI claims that it “mimics the characteristics of a healthy human bone: biocompatibility, adequate open porosity, high mechanical performance, hydrophilicity.” This remarkable material behaves like human bone in many aspects and can be used in a wide range of medical procedures.
3. Second Sight and Pixium Vision
When imagining a cyborg, many people envision a robotic eye, possibly equipped with a laser! Although this technology is still out of reach, some extraordinary devices are already helping restore partial vision to the visually impaired.
Pixium Vision, a French company, has developed an innovative device called IRIS. In contrast, Second Sight, a U.S.-based company, has introduced the world’s first fully bionic, electromechanical eye. Their latest creation, Argus II, aims to restore functional vision. According to their website, it “combines a miniature eye implant with a patient-worn camera and processor to transform how you experience the world.” The company proudly notes ten years of proven safety and durability with 350 users worldwide. How incredible is that?
The Argus II system works by capturing visual data with a small camera mounted on the patient’s glasses. This information is then converted into electrical pulses, which are sent to the retina. The retinal implant then stimulates the retina, transmitting the information to the brain and simulating the sensation of sight. While this groundbreaking technology necessitates surgery and recovery, it represents an exciting leap for those who have lost their sight. A cyborg with a bionic eye—what a remarkable era for technology we are living in.
2. Open Artificial Pancreas System
Another exciting new technology helping diabetic patients monitor their blood sugar levels is OpenAPS, which stands for Open Artificial Pancreas System. Dana Lewis, who lives with Type 1 Diabetes, is the inventor of this groundbreaking device.
OpenAPS provides individuals with diabetes the opportunity to create their own closed-loop system. As stated on their website, it offers a simpler, do-it-yourself version of an Artificial Pancreas System. The device works by “communicating with an insulin pump to retrieve details of recent insulin doses… communicating with a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) to get current and past blood glucose estimates, and by sending commands to the insulin pump to adjust temporary basal rates as necessary.” OpenAPS, as its name suggests, is available free of charge to all patients, consumers, and manufacturers. However, since it’s a DIY product, users will need some expertise and time to set up the OpenAPS system, a worthwhile investment for the global community of diabetic users.
1. BrainGate
BrainGate is a revolutionary technology that uses implanted electrodes in a patient’s brain to restore some movement to paralyzed muscles. Developed by neuroscientists and researchers at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, it represents a significant breakthrough in medical technology.
BrainGate has made a profound difference for many individuals suffering from paralysis. In 2017, a 53-year-old man named Bill Kochevar, paralyzed eight years earlier, had the BrainGate device implanted into his brain. As reported by CNBC.com, over 30 electrodes were placed in his arm. After about four months of training, Kochevar gained the ability to feed and drink independently, among other remarkable feats. This incredible development shows the potential of BrainGate, which continues to make strides in improving and refining its technology. Despite its promising success, it is still not widely available to all patients.
