Project Cyborg 2.0

[-Sigurd-]

The next step towards true Cyborgs?

On the 14th of March 2002 a one hundred electrode array was surgically implanted into the median nerve fibres of the left arm of Professor Kevin Warwick. The operation was carried out at Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, by a medical team headed by the neurosurgeons Amjad Shad and Peter Teddy. The procedure, which took a little over two hours, involved inserting a guiding tube into a two inch incision made above the wrist, inserting the microelectrode array into this tube and firing it into the median nerve fibres below the elbow joint.

A number of experiments have been carried out using the signals detected by the array, most notably Professor Warwick was able to control an electric wheelchair and an intelligent artificial hand, developed by Dr Peter Kyberd, using this neural interface. In addition to being able to measure the nerve signals transmitted down Professor Wariwck’s left arm, the implant was also able to create artificial sensation by stimulating individual electrodes within the array. This was demonstrated with the aid of Kevin’s wife Irena and a second, less complex implant connecting to her nervous system.

Another important aspect of the work undertaken as part of this project has been to monitor the effects of the implant on Professor Warwick’s hand functions. This was carried out by Allesio Murgia a research student at the department, using the Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (SHAP) test. By testing hand functionality during the course of the project the difference between the performance indicators before, during and after the implant was present in Kevin’s arm can be used to give a measure of the risks associated with this and future cyborg experiments.

http://www.kevinwarwick.com/

[Ulrikke]

Cyborg and Bionic Woman had their moments and although different in concept, did not come close to Philip K. Dick's 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' It is always interesting to notice that much of what science has created was in fact first thought out by sci-fi writers. Science is also very much in tune with philosophy by sharing the fascination for the abstract while working towards transforming ideas into working reality.

How long until we know if the implants have been totally accepted by the recipients' system?

I am quite fond of the idea of humans 'merging with machines;' endless possibilities that can help a lot of people. And once science gets "molecular nanotechnology" to be a full-developed working technology it will be an even neater affair.

[-Sigurd-]

Ah the Bionic woman - you are triggering many memories, Ulrikke...! It is exciting to see elements of the science fiction/Blade Runner vision of reality becoming fact, as you say. I think that people are both fascinated and frightened by these developments...but as we have seen with every thing from blood tranfusions to heart and lung transplants, peoples initial fear or feeling of alienation is overcome when the benefits are offered to them personally. We probably are destined to become cyborgs. It could be argued that with all the artificial aids that people already rely on, we are already on that path.

I think the risks associated with this kind of operation are the same as you have with any artificial implants. As far as I can tell from reading through the available material, Professor Warwick has not run into any major problems so far. It seems that the biggest risks will come when they attempt the next phase of the experiment, which will involve brain signals being sent from Warwicks brain to his wife's and vice versa. There is a possibility of the signals being misinterpreted , which could be dangerous.

It would be interesting to find out more on nanotechnology, and if there have been any medical applications or practical demonstrations as of yet.

[Ulrikke]

Still 100% bones, flesh and blood as I type this… the Nexus era has yet not occurred, or so I think. People's first reaction is primarily due to the lack of information and there are always the ones that will never accept technology fully, for many different reasons.

Now, what is that about the experiment with brain signals? These experiments are beginning to sound like the works of Dr. Frankenstein.

I got a page for you on ' molecular nanotechnology ' – it is actually a very neat site on AI – I have not come across any reports of it being a developed and working technology. Scientists are still in the process of researching it – they have the concept, think we have the tools but there is no know-how – and the best estimates hint to at least a decade and half before and if we can make this happen.

http://www.singinst.org/intro/nanotech.html

[-Sigurd-]

Still fully flesh and blood here too Ulrikke... so yes we are not quite there yet, although the first steps are being taken.

The experiments represent a further stage of the project. Professor Warwick's nervous system will be cybernetically linked to his wife's. She has a corresponding implant linking into her nervous system, allowing both to be connected to receive each others brain signals. His aim is to see if he can experience what she is experiencing, and vice versa. It will be interesting to see the outcome but I think there are issues here...would it really be his wife's experience he was having? Or just a new experience based on a set of inputs that his wife also recieved, but no doubt processed in her own unique way?

I think if 'successful' the experiment may possibly represent a new level of 'intimacy', but will not acheive the goal of allowing one person to experience what another does.

Thanks for the article on 'molecular nanotechnology'. It seems that this new (proposed) science, although not a necessary component of the goal of merging of human and machine intelligence, has the potential to open up new possibilities in the field.

[Ulrikke]

I would like to know the results of these experiments, just hope the desire to get so 'intimate' doesn't turn out to be lethal. Like that saying… 'curiosity killed the cat'…

Experience is unique to the subject experiencing it. It seems unlikely that they will be able to live each other's experiences; it is more likely that they will share a common experience – but yes the object will still remain unique to each of the subjects. And it reminds me again of 'Do Androids…?' and their 'empathy-box' where they all share one 'common' experience!

All intelligence is limited to our human capacity, hence our lacking of know-how to turn such concepts as that of 'molecular nanotechnology' into working technology. [The folks at AI think that if we can create a self-upgrading artificial intelligence all processes can be accelerated – we would not have to wait decades.] I believe that 'molecular nanotechnology' will not only open up new possibilities in the 'humans merging with machines' field but will have a huge impact in all human life. Things such as food, medicine, cures for now incurable diseases and even eternal life – yeah... can you believe that? – are some of the visions that the concept houses.

[Dirk_Sommer]

There, the normal population had implants that helped them experience "a wonderful world" while in reality it was barren and desolate...

I don´t know, but if you can have implants that can "remote control" your experience, I think there´s a vast room for abuse...
I think it might not be such a good idea...

On the other hand you´d never have a doubt about your partner cheating on you or not... LOL !

Then again... I just imagine going to the city with a girlfriend and seeing another gorgeous girl... *SMACK*

No, I think I´ll keep my thoughts to myself...