The Eyeborg and Other Amazing Technologies

Rob Spence lost an eye in a childhood accident, and now he wants to turn his loss into an amazing technological gain that blurs the lines between science fiction and reality. Spence's goal is to implant a small wireless camera into his prosthetic eye. Being a documentary filmmaker, Spence hopes to make films using the camera, though it is, as of yet, not ready to endure the rigors of a filming schedule.

As technologies have gotten more advanced it has become more possible for companies like Second Sight, a California company, to develop devices like the eye camera. There is also research being done by various companies into how to integrate other bionics such as brain controlled prosthetic arms and eye implants to increase vision. These devices would use brain implanted electrodes, a technology that has been proven to work on some level with chimps.

Another company called TED, has developed a device called Sixth Sense. Though the device is still in prototype form, it provides an amazing array of capabilities. The device combines a camera, phone, small projector, and finger markers into a user interface reminiscent of Minority Report. The device allows the user to create an interactive interface on any surface. To get the time all that is needed is drawing a circle on the wrist. To access the phone, draw a simple rectangle. The device can even create a tag cloud on the person being viewed as it pulls information from the internet.

Truly the possibilities for such a device would be limitless. The ultimate goal, is to have an implant being able to provide the same information. As technology makes leaps and bounds, society is sure to see a proliferation of mechanical enhancements for human perception. Yet, it raises questions on the social responsibility of such devices. Should these technologies be implemented simply for the convenience and novelty of having such devices? Would there be long term side effects to such devices?

Even as more sci-fi becomes reality, would such devices fall into the wrong hands, allowing for "super-enemies?" Such an idea seems laughable, but imagine if a terrorist could know everything about you simply by looking at you. Although these technologies would be able to help the disabled or those that actually need this technology, it is up to the researchers to decide whether it should be available for mass use. Still, it is an exciting time for the future of biotechnologies.

Grace Wong, The bionic body 2.0, CNN.com
TED Sixth Sense Technology, YouTube.com