Brent Kearney

The company behind the awesome looking video game Deus Ex: Human Revolution commissioned Eyeborg to produce this mini-documentary on human enhancement through prosthetics, cybernetics and other augmentation. I’m looking forward to checking out the game now!

I wrote about the BrainGate Neural Implant in 2006, and now, 5 years later, they are reporting success in human clinical trials. The BrainGate implant has been operational in a paralyzed patient for over 1000 days, allowing her to control a computer mouse cursor by thinking about hand movements.

This is the first demonstration that this microelectrode array technology can provide useful neuroprosthetic signals allowing a person with tetraplegia to control an external device for an extended period of time.”

In the past 5 years, research into Brain-Computer Interfaces has been progressing rapidly. For example, devices which rest on the scalp are now good enough at reading brain waves that they can be used to play video games. In this TED Talk, Tan Le of Emotiv Systems demonstrates one such device.

Another company, Intendix, offers a similar brain-wave reading (EEG) product which allows it’s users to type on a virtual keyboard using only thoughts. BrainAthlete also uses EEG technology, marketed as a tool for helping athletes find “the zone”.

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The Singularity Hub has published an article on professor Kevin Warwick, famous for his pioneering research in cybernetics, where he uses himself as a subject. In the video below, he describes some of his research projects, and discusses why transhumanism — the integration of technology and human biology — is such an exciting and important prospect.

[source: Silicon.com via Singularity Hub]