Bionics the Future Enhancement
The first bionic was developed in 1998 fitted onto a man name Campbell Aird at the Princess Margaret Rose Hospital. Aird could controlled the arm with electronic micro-sensors that sent pulses to the arm. Not to mention Aird’s arm had a powered shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers. Jumping forward with this arm, the world of bionics rapidly developed as more advance technology sprout forth over the years.
David Gow the man who oversee the first bionic operations went on to form a company which went on to launch the I-LIMB. The artificial bionic arm with a striking lifelike resemblance and function of the real arm. Furthermore myoelectricity is used to control this improved bionic arm. Yes like Zeus himself, the average man can generate miniscule amount of electricity through his own flesh.
Moreover the invention of the bionic has significantly improved, the lives of those missing their limbs. As one amputee says “Most of us will never know just how devastating the loss of a hand or arm can be,”. Deprived of their god given rights to have an arm, technology has come to substitute it, with plastic and metal.
As a matter of fact, bionics doesn’t stop at the arms but extend to other body parts as well. Few examples are the eyes, hearts, ears, and legs. Restoring and even surpassing the functions of our fleshy counterparts. Despite these advances these man made body parts still have ways to go, as affordability is one of the problems. Ranging from $5,000 t0 $50,000+, these bionic parts are costly with the increase in price comes with increased in functions. Additional problems comes in the forms of “wholeness”. One researcher states “The problems with bionics is that people still feel incomplete, they need not only to control but also feel”.
High demand, Market Craving
Demand for organ donor is getting ever higher. With a constant battle of finding more donors, as supply is getting lower. But this is beneficial for the markets of bionics as the wait in the queue is too perilous for the patients. Bionics and artificial organs can cater to those in need, sealing the vacuum of demand that so many are desperate for.
The global market for bionics and artificial organs is expected to grow even bigger. An estimation of 32.05 bn is expected by 2025. Not to mention that the fastest growing market will be in Asia Pacific. In addition the CAGR growth is expected to reach 8.33%.
Photo by cottonbro
Photo by ThisIsEngineering
Big Brain Time: Microchip
Microchips implants sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel but this novelty is becoming a reality. Most common examples are RFID chips being jammed in the subdermal area of the hand. Dating back to 1998 British scientist, Kevin Warwick, was the first to get a microchip implant, the implant allowed him to open/close doors, turn on lights, and communicate with the building.
However the progress of the microchips have been slow. Progress has not been as quick as the bionics/artificial organs. The microchip capabilities are still impressive as the chip can be used to store identification information, and perform wireless actions as well via paying for food with NFC (near field communication).
The most ambitious company that revolves around microchips implants have surfaced, with Elon Musk at the helm of the ship. the company focuses on microchip brain implants, as technology advances, pretty soon one can choose where they can get a chip punch in their body, from brain to hands to feet. Yes the future is now.
Neuralink, Musk new founded company, has stated that it plans to create a brain-machine interface. Neuralink has stated that with the “link” implanted in the brain, one can develop cybernetics. In other words people can “talk” to machines, examples of that is one can control their phones/computer/mouse/keyboard with their brains just by thinking about it. Musk is also hopeful with this microchip brain implant. Claiming it can heal certain disease and injuries. Many neuroscientists however have criticized Musk with his outlandish claims. Arguing that technology is not advance enough.
Concerns and Conspiracy Theories
However with the emergence of microchips, it is not all fun and games. As those of reasoned minds to the outlandish fools have raised concerns and conspiracy theories. Reasonable concerns involve privacy and security of the individuals as well as health complications. While unhinged individuals spouts nonsense such as the microchip being the mark of the beast, or that humanity is ‘playing god’ by tampering the human body. Furthermore, such drivel has focused in on Bill Gate with him being the center figure of the conspiracy theory. With a ridiculous notion, that his plan is to ‘chip’ everyone through the covid vaccine.
“Beware! Once the microchip has been implanted you’ll forfeit your autonomy, lowering your defence to the deadly 5g signal. Slowly, but surely with the vaccine and the 5g signals permeating throughout your body, you’ll inevitably develop autism, becoming autistic!” A rant that one might hear from the uninformed or the raving lunatic. What’s next will 5g signals turn the frogs gay?
Photo by Pixabay
What's your reaction?
