Professor of Cybernetics, Kevin Warwick(1) discussed his experiments in becoming a "cyborg," as well as the inherent dangers in the rise of intelligent machines. In his 2002 surgery, he had an implant "fired into his nerve fiber," which remained there for three months while various tests were conducted, he said. Through wires coming out of his arm he was linked to a pad which relayed information to a computer and the Internet. He noted that he was able to successfully control the movements of a wheelchair just using his thoughts, which showed this technology holds great promise for paralyzed people.
In another other experiment, brain signals sent through the Internet from Columbia Univ. were able to move a mechanical hand in the U.K., he detailed. Warwick also described wearing an ultrasonic sensor in which he was able to detect when something moved closed to him, even though he couldn't see it.
He views humans moving towards becoming cyborgs as a necessary evolutionary step, as eventually intelligent machines (which can learn and adapt on their own) will surpass human abilities. He foresees a future, in which regular humans if they don't upgrade, will be like the animals of today, and be relegated to fields or a zoo.

1. http://www.kevinwarwick.com/

Cybernetic Images

In March 2002 a one hundred electrode array (such as pictured left) was surgically implanted into the left arm of Professor Kevin Warwick. This photo shows him with the connector pad attached to his arm. He also underwent surgery in 1998 for his first implant. More images are on view at the Photo Gallery(1) of his website.

1. http://www.rdg.ac.uk/KevinWarwick/html/photo_gallery.html

Bumper Music

Bumper music from Thursday August 12, 2004