Cyborg Upgrades You Can Get Today

Summary

This script delves into the fascinating world of cybernetic enhancements, exploring the steps to become a cyborg and real-life examples of such advancements. It covers bionic eyes that offer artificial vision, non-human senses like magnetic and color perception, and the potential of neuralink for telepathic communication. The narrative also touches on the challenges and innovations in bionic limbs, including Hugh Herr's work at MIT, synthetic skin, and the quest to achieve a sense of proprioception in prosthetics.

Takeaways

• 🤖 The concept of becoming a cyborg involves a combination of human and machine elements, starting with a human body and undergoing a transformation through accidents or deliberate enhancements.
• 👀 Bionic eyes, like the ones developed by William Dobelle, can provide a form of artificial vision by electrically stimulating the visual cortex, allowing users to perceive light and shapes.
• 🧲 Non-human senses, such as a magnetic sense, can be artificially introduced through implants that react to magnetic fields, offering potential benefits but also significant drawbacks.
• 🎨 Neil Harbisson, the world's first 'Pikman,' uses a cyborg antenna to convert colors into audible vibrations, overcoming his color blindness and even perceiving infrared and ultraviolet light.
• 📡 Cyborg senses like North Sense, Cento, and Seismic Sense involve implants that provide feedback based on direction, proximity to other users, or seismic activity, respectively.
• 🧠 Telepathic communication is an emerging field, with Neuralink's brain-computer interface allowing for direct brain-to-computer interactions, as demonstrated in their first human trial.
• 🦿 Bionic limbs, such as those developed for rock climber Hugh Herr, can surpass the capabilities of natural limbs with features like spiked feet, extendable legs, and narrow tips for enhanced climbing.
• 🔩 The integration of bionic limbs involves challenges such as interfacing with human skin, managing sweat, and providing a sense of proprioception to make the limbs feel like a natural part of the body.
• 🥁 Bionic limbs can also be specialized for specific activities, like Jason Bonds' bionic arm attachment that allows him to play complex drum rhythms with two drumsticks.
• 🔌 Jesse Sullivan, one of the first cyborgs, has a bionic arm controlled through nerve grafts and can interface with technology, such as plugging a USB into his finger.
• 🛠️ The development of synthetic skin and osseointegration are among the innovations aimed at improving the comfort, functionality, and integration of bionic limbs with the human body.

Q & A

What is the first step mentioned in the script for becoming a cyborg?

The first step mentioned in the script for becoming a cyborg is to have a buddy made of flesh and blood.

What was the outcome of William Dobelle's experiment with electrically stimulating the visual cortex?

William Dobelle's experiment resulted in the creation of a dot matrix of phosphenes, which allowed a blind patient to see the outline of shapes and even regain enough vision to drive a car.

What is the current state of bionic eye technology after Dobelle's death?

After Dobelle's death, his research was largely lost due to poor documentation. However, there have been many advances in bionic eye technology since then, with devices like the Argus II now allowing users to read large text.

What is the concept of a magnetic sense implant and how does it work?

A magnetic sense implant is a modification where a tiny magnet is inserted into a person's finger. It wiggles when near a magnetic field, potentially allowing the person to sense the shape and intensity of magnetic fields and distinguish between AC and DC voltages.

What are the potential issues with having a magnetic sense implant?

Potential issues with a magnetic sense implant include complications with MRI scans due to the strong magnets used, the possibility of the implant being ripped out of the skin, and problems with airport security due to the magnet's presence.

Who is Neil Harbisson and what is his unique ability?

Neil Harbisson is the world's first 'Pikmin', a person with a cyborg antenna implanted into his skull. This antenna allows him to hear colors through audible vibrations based on what a camera is seeing, including the ability to perceive infrared and ultraviolet light.

What is the concept of 'telepathic communication' as mentioned in the script?

Telepathic communication, as mentioned in the script, refers to the ability to read information from one brain and write it to other brains or computers. Companies like Neuralink are working on brain-computer interfaces that could potentially enable this form of communication.

What are some of the challenges faced in developing bionic limbs?

Some challenges in developing bionic limbs include interfacing with human skin, which is difficult due to its hairiness, oiliness, and tendency to chafe and cut easily. Additionally, there is the issue of sweat not evaporating under prosthetics, and the lack of proprioception, which is the body's spatial awareness.

What is Hugh Herr's contribution to the field of bionic limbs?

Hugh Herr, the Director of Biomechatronics at MIT, has designed special brain-controlled bionic legs with microprocessors that constantly adjust the stiffness of his joints to mimic natural human walking. He is also working on developing synthetic skin to address the challenges of interfacing with human skin.

What is the concept of osseointegration and how does it relate to bionic limbs?

Osseointegration is a method of attaching prosthetics by implanting titanium directly into the bone, allowing for the swapping out of different attachments as needed. This method provides a more secure and potentially more comfortable interface for bionic limbs.

Can you provide an example of a person who has benefited from bionic limbs technology?

One example is Jesse Sullivan, one of the world's first cyborgs, who had a bionic arm that could be controlled through nerve grafts in his chest. He was able to stick a USB in his finger, demonstrating the advanced capabilities of modern bionic limbs.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Becoming a Cyborg: Real-Life Upgrades

The script humorously introduces the concept of becoming a cyborg with a three-step process, starting with a terrible accident. It then delves into actual cybernetic enhancements available today, such as bionic eyes, which have evolved from early experiments by engineer William Dobelle to modern devices like the Argus II that can help the visually impaired perceive shapes. The script also touches on experimental non-human senses like magnetic sense implants, which can detect magnetic fields but come with potential risks and downsides. Additionally, it mentions color-sense enhancement through a cyborg antenna, which allows a person with complete color blindness to perceive colors through audible vibrations.

05:02

🧠 Advances in Cyborg Technology: Communication and Limbs

This paragraph discusses advancements in brain-to-brain communication and bionic limbs. It covers neuralink's brain-computer interface, which has enabled a paralyzed patient to control a computer with his mind. The script also explores alternative communication methods like Bluetooth-enabled cyborg communication. In the realm of bionic limbs, it tells the story of a climber who turned his prosthetics into high-performance bionic limbs with features like spiked feet and extending legs. The challenges of integrating prosthetics with human skin, dealing with sweat, and creating a sense of proprioception for the user are also highlighted. The paragraph concludes with examples of individuals who have benefited from bionic limbs, showcasing the potential for these technologies to enhance human capabilities.

Keywords

💡Cyborg

A cyborg is an organism that combines biological and artificial components, such as a human with technological enhancements. In the video, the concept of becoming a cyborg is introduced humorously, with a three-step process that includes an accident and engineering intervention, setting the stage for the discussion of real-life cybernetic upgrades.

💡Bionic Eyes

Bionic eyes refer to artificial vision technologies that aim to restore sight to the visually impaired. The script mentions the work of engineer William Dobelle, who used electrodes to stimulate the visual cortex and create a dot matrix of phosphenes, allowing a blind patient to regain enough vision to drive a car. This technology exemplifies the video's theme of enhancing human capabilities.

💡Phosphene

A phosphene is a phenomenon where light is perceived in the absence of light entering the eye, often as a result of direct electrical stimulation of the visual cortex. The script describes how phosphenes were used in early bionic eye experiments to provide a rudimentary form of vision to blind individuals, illustrating the potential for sensory augmentation.

💡Sense Augmentation

Sense augmentation involves enhancing or supplementing the human senses with technology. The video discusses various forms of sense augmentation, including bionic eyes, magnetic sense implants, and color sense devices, which allow individuals to perceive information beyond the normal human range, such as infrared and ultraviolet light.

💡Neuralink

Neuralink is a company working on brain-computer interfaces, aiming to enable direct communication between the human brain and computers. The script mentions Neuralink's brain computer implant and its application in telepathic communication, showing the company's progress in human trials and its potential to revolutionize how we interact with technology.

💡Bionic Limbs

Bionic limbs are artificial limbs that replace missing body parts with advanced capabilities. The video features Hugh Herr, a climber who turned his prosthetic legs into high-performance bionic limbs, showcasing the potential for bionic limbs to not only restore but also enhance human physical abilities.

💡Proprioception

Proprioception is the sense of the relative position of one's body parts and the strength of effort being employed in movement. The script discusses the challenge of integrating bionic limbs with the human sense of proprioception, which is crucial for making the limbs feel like a natural part of the body.

💡Synthetic Skin

Synthetic skin is an engineered material designed to mimic the properties of human skin, including its flexibility and sensitivity. The video describes research into synthetic skin to solve the problem of interfacing bionic limbs with the human body, emphasizing the need for a comfortable and practical solution.

💡Osseointegration

Osseointegration is a process where a prosthetic device becomes integrated with the bone, allowing for a secure and stable attachment. The script mentions osseointegration as an alternative interfacing option for bionic limbs, highlighting the advancements in prosthetic attachment methods.

💡Telepathic Communication

Telepathic communication refers to the direct transmission of thoughts or information between individuals without the use of conventional sensory channels or physical intermediaries. The video explores the concept of telepathic communication through brain-computer interfaces, like Neuralink's technology, and its potential applications in enhancing human interaction.

💡Cybernetic Upgrades

Cybernetic upgrades are technological enhancements to the human body that improve or augment physical or cognitive capabilities. The video's main theme revolves around various cybernetic upgrades, from bionic eyes and limbs to non-human senses and brain-computer interfaces, illustrating the frontier of human augmentation.

Highlights

Steps to become a cyborg include having a flesh and blood buddy, enduring a terrible accident, and getting smart engineers to experiment on you for research purposes.

Sense augmentation, telepathic communication, and bionic limbification are real-life examples of cybernetic upgrades.

Bionic eyes, such as the Argus II, can provide artificial vision by electrically stimulating the visual cortex.

Advancements in bionic eye technology have enabled some blind patients to regain enough vision to perform activities like driving.

Magnetic sense implants allow individuals to sense magnetic fields and distinguish between AC and DC voltages.

Color sense implants have enabled a colorblind man to perceive colors through audible vibrations.

Cyborg senses like North sense, Cento, and seismic sense involve implants that provide sensory feedback based on environmental conditions.

Neuralink is working on brain-computer interfaces that could enable telepathic communication.

Bionic limbs have advanced to the point where they can outperform human limbs in certain activities, such as rock climbing.

Hugh Herr, a rock climber who had both legs amputated, now leads biomechatronics research at MIT, developing brain-controlled bionic legs.

Synthetic skin is being developed to improve the interface between prosthetics and human skin, addressing issues like sweat and chafing.

Osseointegration is an interfacing option that involves implanting titanium directly into the bone for prosthetic attachment.

Research is being conducted to solve the problem of bionic limbs lacking the sense of proprioception, to make them feel like a part of the body.

Bionic limbs are being customized for specific activities, such as a drummer's arm attachment with two drumsticks.

Psionic is a company that makes prosthetic arms with capabilities beyond human strength, such as punching through objects.

The future of bionic limbs includes the potential for them to be fully integrated and feel like a natural extension of the body.

Transcripts

here's how you can become a real cyborg

right now step one have a buddy made of

Flesh and Blood step two put the budy

through terrible accident wait wait wait

step three get smart Engineers to

experiment on you for research purposes

but you're still stuck on step two right

now so how about we take a look at some

real life examples of cybernetic

upgrades you can

get great we've got sense augmentation

telepathic communication and finally

bionic limb ification let's start at the

top bionic eyes hostile detected in 1978

engineer William dbel tried to create

artificial Vision he found that when you

electrically stimulate the visual cortex

a splotch of light called a phosphine is

perceived he then stabbed a bunch of

little electrodes in and mapped video

camera footage to them creating a dot

matrix of phosphine so now someone

wearing the device could see the outline

of shapes one of his blind patients even

regained enough Vision to drive a

car I can finally see now his work was

showing signs of truly helping people

and then he died and everyone realized

that he barely documented anything all

that research straight down the toilet

but since then there have been many

advances in bionic eye technology

devices like the August 2 now allow you

to read large text

SC oh imagine if you could record and

replay memories or you could even stream

other people's camera feeds and relive

them for yourself maybe you could even

zoom

in and enhance one day I could even hack

into your eyes and play doggo videos

directly into your brain well anyways

congratulations on your new bionic eyes

but did you know people nowadays are

experimenting with non-human senses as

well

magnetic

sense this one's a weird modification

but you you need all the help you can

get my friend so you get a professional

to cut your finger open and stick a itty

bitty magnet inside now it Wiggles

whenever you're near a magnetic field

seems a bit gimmicky but it could be

useful for an electrician you could

sense the shape and intensity of

magnetic fields and even distinguish

between AC and DC voltages but there

would be so many advantages like how

would you get an MRI done have you seen

how strong their magnets are um so we

need to uh scan you for cancer um

sir or even worse it just rips out of

your skin you couldn't get past airport

security either but at least you can

pick up paper clips with your finger but

your implant would demagnetize over time

So eventually you're just left with the

piece of trash and a demagnetized magnet

looks good on you though just don't get

too close to that machine

color

sense Neil Hobson was born with a rare

form of complete color blindness and at

the age of 22 he turned into the world's

first Pikman he has a cyborg antenna

implanted into his skull with a camera

on one end and a sound vibration implant

on the other now he can hear colors

through audible vibrations based on what

the camera is seeing the cool part is

that he can see infrared and ultraviolet

light too ah today's a sunscreen kind of

day but turns out having your brain

constantly vibrating isn't Fun make stop

please but the human brain is plastic

not literally made of plastic but able

to adapt and learn so even though there

was this new sense forcing its way in

Neil's brain eventually accepted it just

like how our brains aren't overwhelmed

by our eyes constantly seeing and our

ears constantly hearing I'll give you

this antenna doesn't really do anything

but it's cute cybul sense speed round

North sense is a little chest implant

that Jiggles every time you face North

Cento is a proximity sensor that Jiggles

when you're next to another Cento user

seismic sense is an implant that Jiggles

when the earth Jiggles these cyborgs

sure do a lot of jiggling don't

they I I guess we should sort that out

now huh telepathic

communication humans communicate like

this

but imagine if you could talk like this

instead well to do this you'd need to

read information from one brain and

write it to other brains or computers

neuralink is already working on this

with their brain computer implant and

they've recently completed their first

human trial the patient was paralyzed

from the shoulders down after an

accident and now he can use his mind to

play RuneScape the chip has a bunch of

electrode threads which can read

different signals from your brain there

software then Maps these signals to

cursor movements on a screen and you

could use this technology to map a brain

to any computer interface like a

Jager with this implant you can now

control this Roomba here you go

buddy right now brain-to-brain

communication is pretty difficult

because seizures but a simpler option

would be to read a message from one

brain and use a computer to transmit it

to an ear imprint you could basically

have your own private radio channels in

your head reading information from

brains could be a bit scary though I

don't want people to know my intrusive

thoughts Neil the Pikmin and his jiggly

cyborg buddy achieved a different form

of cybor communication with Bluetooth

and I mean a literal Bluetooth when they

were in close range they could

communicate in Mor code by tapping their

teeth what happens when they're eating

though how could you say that anyways

that's communication sorted wait where'd

you

go I I guess it's time to get you some

real legs now bionic

limbs at the age of 17 rock climber huur

had both his legs amputated due to

frostbite doctors told him he would

never climb again but instead of giving

up he turned his clunky prosthetic legs

into ones that could outperform real

human limbs spiked feet for climbing

vertical ice walls extending legs for

reaching far footholds and narrow tipped

feet that could slip into cracks Way Too

Thin for regular feet his legs also

didn't get tired while climbing anymore

because he he didn't have any now he

finds himself as the Director of

biomechatronics at MIT where he designed

special brain controlled bionic legs

microprocessors constantly adjust the

stiffness of his joints to mimic how

humans naturally walk like look at how

smoothly he

moves he hopes to end his ability in

humans one day but there's a few major

problems to solve first one is that it's

really hard to interface with human skin

it's hairy oily sweaty and it chafes and

cuts easily you can't just duct tape a

prosthetic on and call it a day Hugh's

research is developing synthetic skin to

tackle this problem it can change its

shape and stiffness under electrostatic

forces kind of like how the glider Cape

from The Dark Knight turns from floppy

to stiff when you run a current through

it so the synthetic skin is soft and

stretchy on your squishy parts and

stiffer where there solid bone surface

underneath it's pretty comfy but a gross

problem that's often overlooked is sweat

since Prosthetics basically surround

amputated limbs like a shoe sweat

doesn't evaporate so some sports

Prosthetics include drain holes another

interfacing option is oio integration

which involves implanting titanium

directly into the bone and then you can

swap out whatever attachment you want

but the biggest problem is that bionic

limbs don't really feel like they're a

part of you humans have a sense called

proprioception which is basically your

body's spatial awareness for example if

you close your eyes you're still able to

touch the tip of your nose with your

finger the same can't be said for bionic

limbs just yet but research is currently

being done to solve this and soon you

could pick any bionic limb you want and

it would feel like a part of you bionic

limb speedr Jason Bonds is a drummer

with a bionic arm attachment with two

drumsticks allowing him to play rhythms

no other human can play Jesse Sullivan

is one of the world's first cyborgs who

had a bionic arm that could be

controlled through nerve GRS in his

chest this dude stuck a USB in his

finger and there's a company called

psionic that makes prosthetic arms that

can punch through things and now with a

few little adjustments all

finished you look

great ah you're welcome

[Music]

[Applause]

see you next time