6 Revolutionary Biohack Enhancements for Superhuman Abilities
If piercings make you feel squeamish, you might want to skip this post. Still here? Great. You’d be surprised with the kinds of things people are putting into or attaching to parts of their body to enhance their ability to do something.
In this post, we will explore six different ways a few brave individuals have used technology to either compensate for a disability or to grant themselves “special powers.” From inserting magnets into fingertips to feel the effects of magnetic fields to attaching devices to the skull that enable color detection, here are six examples of amazing biohack enhancements real people have undergone.
Magnetic Fingertips
While most of us are content with our five senses, some seek to add a “sixth sense” that goes beyond the paranormal and focuses on sensing magnetic fields. By inserting a special bio-coated magnet into your fingertips, you can feel vibrations from magnetic fields and even attract light ferrous or metallic objects, like a paperclip, to your “enhanced finger” by touch.
The procedure, not performed by a medical professional, involves purchasing magnets online and having them inserted at a tattoo parlor. Note that this process can be somewhat painful due to the lack of anesthetic. The magnets won’t be strong enough to move metallic objects or erase hard disks, but they could cause issues if you need an MRI scan.
RFID Implants
RFID implants are chips that carry specific information about the individual they’re embedded in. Commonly known in pets for identification, in humans, these chips can control doors, trigger lights, and adjust temperatures simply by being near a sensor. British engineer Kevin Warwick showcased this in “Project Cyborg” with an RFID chip implanted in his arm.
RFID implants can also act as a debit card, as demonstrated by a Barcelona club offering this technology to its patrons. However, this raises concerns about surveillance and the potential for remote hacking. Currently, there’s no reliable method to block or secure RFID transmissions fully.
Neural Interface
Continuing with Kevin Warwick’s explorations, “Project Cyborg” also delved into implanting electrode arrays directly into nerves. These electrodes could connect to his nerves, allowing him to control a robotic arm over the internet from New York to Reading, UK, and even receive feedback. In a groundbreaking demonstration, Warwick’s wife received a similar implant, enabling them to share sensations over the internet, creating a form of sensory synchronization. Despite the high-tech nature of these implants, studies suggest they have not negatively affected the Warwicks.
Eyeborg
An eyeborg is an innovative device designed to allow users to detect colors through sound. Worn on the head, it uses a sensor to identify colors in the environment, converting them into sound waves transmitted to the ear via bone conduction. Each color corresponds to a unique frequency, enabling users to distinguish colors by their sound. Developed by Adam Montandon and artist Neil Harbisson, who was born with achromatopsia and sees only in black and white, the eyeborg enhances his perception of colors and tones through sound frequencies. Harbisson has even had the device permanently integrated into his head.
The 3rdi
In 2011, Iraqi-American artist Wafaa Bilal created “The 3rdi,” a unique art and performance project. By attaching a titanium plate to the back of his head that held a camera setup, the device captured images every minute, automatically uploading them to a website for public and museum display. This project reflects Bilal’s vision of integrating devices with the human body, highlighting our interaction with the mundane and the importance of being present. Despite its innovative concept, Bilal had to remove part of the device due to his body’s rejection of it. Discover more about his provocative projects on his personal website.
EyeTap
Steve Mann, the father of wearable computing, introduced the world to the EyeTap in 1981, a precursor to devices like Google Glass. Worn in front of the eye, it acts both as a camera and a digital screen, overlaying digital information onto the real world to create an augmented reality experience. Mann has integrated the device so deeply into his daily life that he feels disoriented without it, having even opted to permanently attach it to his skull.
The EyeTap’s primary function is as a heads-up display, enriching the user’s vision with augmented reality. Mann uses it for sousveillance, or personal recording of activities, but its potential extends to aiding those with visual impairments, showcasing the device’s versatile applications.
Note: This post was first published on August 11, 2014.