Future Unlocked-The Role of Human Augmentation in our Lives

Hello world, this is Jordan from SnapStack Solutions. 😊 This is me trying to impress you that I know a single HTML tag and I am a tech-savvy person, haha.

No really, HI! How have you been? It’s been a week since we connected in SnapStack’s blog section. I told you before, to me it is a relief, once every week to let go of some steam and express myself creatively.

A short story about me is that when I was younger, I was obsessed with Androids. Not the phones, or the operating system, but rather the true meaning behind Android – a robot in a human form. I even remember sketching some androids in my notebooks.

Few years fast forward, I am not an engineer mastering the science of robotics, but however, the love for the technology remained, and this week I get to share it with you over this article. Well, we won’t be talking about androids, but rather a topic that is closely related to it – Human Augmentation.

Just as a quick reminder, here is the link to last week’s article where we talked about a great technology called ServiceNow. Check it out if you didn’t have the chance to do so previously.

Never before has technology progressed at such a rapid rate as it is now. One phenomenon will inevitably be replaced by the next in the upcoming years. The analog and digital realms are colliding; large volumes of data provide the basis for pinpoint output decisions; businesses are technologically merging, and product and production are in digital conversation.

What are the different forms of human augmentation and how will they be used in the future?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often marketed as a technology that will potentially replace humans in a variety of occupations. A more complex perspective is that AI would allow us to work quicker and \”smarter,\” possibly by augmenting human workers with AI systems in the future.

Human augmentation is an area of study that seeks to improve human capabilities through the application of medicine or technology. Genetic engineering, implants, or the use of external instruments such as eyeglasses, \”bionic\” limbs, or other wearable devices are examples of this.

Well, what are the different kinds of human augmentation and how could they be used in the coming years?

The bionic human

Human augmentation is being established in a number of fields. One of the most involved is in the field of prosthetics, also known as \”bionics.\” Amputees will benefit from prosthetic arms, paralyzed people will benefit from robotic exoskeletons, and those with reduced range of motion in their hands will benefit from robotic gloves.

The remote presence exoskeleton is an extension of this, as it is a form of robot that can be controlled remotely while mimicking the movements of a human operator. The operator could also put on virtual reality glasses to see the world through the eyes of the robot. This will encourage humans to work in hostile circumstances such as nuclear power stations and deep-sea exploration from a safe distance.

Sensory data could be transmitted from the robot to the user through a feedback loop, improving the accuracy of virtual limb usage. This form of augmentation has clear advantages, and it may also be used to replace other body parts including eyes, ears, and internal organs.

But there are a few major obstacles to tackle before you start weighing yourself for your very own Iron Man suit. These involve the need for a reliable power source and a method of reliably transmitting sensations, such as touch, from the limb or organ to the brain.

The human who is connected

Neuroprosthetics, a direct connection between the brain and a device, is the next step, allowing robots and prosthetics to be operated solely by thinking. The aim of this technology is to enable the human brain to control devices and computers directly through our thoughts.

Synchron, for instance, is developing the Stentrode, an implantable system that aims to provide a secure way for paralyzed patients to gain direct brain control of mobility-assistive devices, and companies like Neuralink and Neurable are creating brain-computer interfaces that enable people to control software and devices solely through their brain activity.

Neurotechnology, which focuses on developing human cognition, is a related field of augmentation. Kernal, for example, is trying to \”hack the human brain\” and develop \”neuroprosthetics\” that could be used to improve memory, among other things. Other companies are focusing on concepts like sending weak electrical waves through the user\’s brain to improve physical fitness performance (Halo Neuroscience) and using brain imaging to treat depression or Parkinson\’s disease (Flow Neuroscience).

The fusion of humans and computers via implant technologies to build biotechnology-based hybrids is one potential endpoint for this line of research. The required technology seems to be more science fiction than fact. A few businesses, however, are operating in this field in a more limited capacity. BIOS, based in the United Kingdom, is developing a \”USB connector for the body,\” an implant that would enable amputees to monitor prostheses with brain signals.

A human who has been changed

Another field of enhancement is nootropics. These are sometimes referred to as \”smart\” drugs that help to improve the cognitive process. From Adderall to herbal dietary supplements, they\’ve got it all.

Although the majority of over-the-counter nootropics are relatively safe, they are often ineffective. Prescription nootropics, such as ADHD medications, have unpleasant side effects and should never be used without a doctor\’s prescription. However, the market has not slowed as a result of this. According to a 2019 study by Zion Market Research, global spending on nootropics will reach approximately $6 billion per year by 2024.

Last but not least, there\’s gene editing. The invention of techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 has made precise gene editing relatively quick and inexpensive. This has the potential to not only eliminate lethal genetic diseases but also to recode our genes to produce \”designer\” humans.

Aside from the legal ramifications, little is known about the physical effects of these methods on humans. That hasn\’t stopped the science from moving at breakneck speed, fueled by the prospect of huge profits for the business that can cure diseases using gene editing.

Although progress has been made in a variety of augmentation technologies, the emergence of the cyborg, or human-computer hybrid, remains a long way off.

At SnapStack Solutions, we have many engineers working with robotics, RPA, machine learning, and other fields that are related to this topic. We would be glad to chat with you if you have need of such experts. You can contact us on social media or simply writing us at contact@snapstack.cz.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead! Cheers, J **

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