Cortical Cybernetic Implants

Floody writes "Wired is running a story with amazing cyberpunk "wow factor." Implanted visual cortex stimulation, complete with "percutaneous pedestal"; a metal jack installed directly into the skull. Where can I get a night vision enhancement module for this with HUD and distance finder?" We've posted a couple of previous stories about Dobelle and his work on bionic eyes, but this one has more details: one frame per second, $100,000. Wow.

Comments

Fun fun

[Gudlyf]

"Suddenly, the color drains from the patient's face. His deadened eyes roll back. Then another warping convulsion."

Yeah, sounds like oodles of fun. Shiver...

Re:umm...

[romi]

yeah actually it says 10.9, which is Wired issue 9, volume 10 I believe - making it current (besides which it says september 2002 right next to it).

I'm waiting for...

[MarvinMouse]

when I can sit down at a desk with maybe just a keyboard, and plug in the sound screen and everything directly into my head.

Sound would be amazing if they could get the entire range (including that which is naturally lost after childhood) to work. Imagine hearing music absolutely perfectly clear. Wouldn't that be awesome. :-)

And screen would be even better. Considering I have contacts as is, so the screen isn't 100% clear, just good enough.

Imagine if they could have the screen show up with clarity beyond that of 20/20 or even 20/10 . Movies where everything is perfectly clear. :-)

If scientists were to actually work on ways to "jack" ourselves in. There are so many things we could do with it. Even just the sheer speed increase of data entry if we just had to think about it.

The possiblities are endless...

Re:FPS value is wrong.

[Tackhead]

> The first version of this device installed in Jerry 20 years ago could acheive at least 4 FPS, so this version should be faster.

If I put a big-azz heatsink in my brain with the fins sticking out the back of my head, can I overclock it to get better framerates?

(Hmm, or watercooling. Overclock it and wander around with a big ice bath. :)

Just one question left - for those of us who checked "C++++" (I'll be first in line to get the new cybernetic interface installed into my skull. " in our Geek Code .sigs, where do we sign up?

Impractical but fun choice: Ability to see ultraviolet. Walk through a botanical garden and get a bee's-eye view.

Practical but more useful choice: Ability to see near infrared.

Impractical but even cooler choice: Ability to see far infrared. Know which dark alley the d00d you're trying to frag walked down... even if you're 5 minutes behind him. The coolant for the sensor might help with overclocking, too - anything to keep the frame-rate up! :)

And finally, some good uses for serious overclocking - real-time image reprocessing! Imagine driving with night-vision active at night (and software to filter out glare of incoming high-beams), and use the same software to highlight road signs and banner-block ugly billboards with pictures of trees or background patterns by day. Interface with GPS, visit New York and hack it to put up a picture of the WTC towers overtop of whatever sawed-off 20-storey mundane blocks they try to "replace" them with.)

Wires?

[Skyshadow]

Er, wouldn't it be easier to use wireless communications and transdermal power rather than poking holes in you're #1 infection prevention mechanism (your skin)?