Real Life Cyborgs
Cyborgs have been around for a long time. Prosthetics and other advanced technologies have been developed to compensate for different disabilities. This fascinating topic has been a subject of much debate in the past.
A hybrid of human biology, technological advancements, and human biology, a Cyborg is a combination that enhances the senses, abilities, and body parts of an individual. This can often be done with the aid of a computer. Cyborgs can possess many unique traits, including superhuman strength and enhanced perceptions. However it is possible to obtain cybernetic enhancements which are more human-like.
There are many people who have cybernetic enhancements in their bodies and it is common to see them incorporated into movies, TV shows and novels. Some implants are made out of adamantium (like Wolverine or Sabertooth), while others are more human-like.
Vietnam War veterans who lost arms in combat or suffered from Locked-In Syndrome were some of the first cyborgs. Johnny Ray was the first known cyborg. He was a soldier who could communicate with the outside world through an implanted brain.
He was a proponent of bringing cyborgs into mainstream culture and even helped popularize the term. He is a cofounder of the Cyborg Foundation as well as a prominent Cyborg activist.
Kevin Warwick, an emeritus professor of Cybernetics from the University of Reading in England, is another well-known cyborg researcher who has many cybernetic capabilities. He has a chip in his arm that allows him to wirelessly connect to computers, control robots, and sense ultrasonic sound waves.
His technology can also be used to assist those who have lost their senses due to injury, illness, or degenerative conditions. His technology, called sensory substitution, replaces one of the main senses (eyes).
Neil Harbisson is another example of a real-life cyborg. He was born with colorblindness and can perceive colors using an antenna implanted in the brain. He is a Cyborg activist, and founded the Cyborg Foundation. This non-profit organization promotes cyborg rights as well as supports research into the topic.
He had an implant placed in his brain in 2004 that allows him to perceive colors beyond what is possible for normal people. He also has an implant on his feet that allows for him to sense earthquakes via the Internet. These two technologies are combined to allow him to perform dance shows, where he creates art from the vibrations he receives.
Some cyborgs don't have a medical diagnosis and instead are born with new technologies, new senses and new abilities. They are some of the most talented artists in the world, and they use their cyborg skills to inspire others to become cyborgs.
The latest trends in cyborg technologies show that there are no limits to what technology can do. Cybernetic eye implants can record images and videos. Cyborg tattoos are a growing trend that can instantly turn on and off to alter their appearance.