As humans, we possess wisdom, strength, and the instinct to survive, making us true survivors. In our era, we increasingly rely on machines, implants, and robots, implying a reduced dependence on humans. Could this trend lead to a decline in the human population on Earth, eventually leading to extinction?

The future world reflects a life where the boundaries between humans and machines may become blurred. Imagine a scenario where humans merge with machines, gaining superhuman abilities and intelligence.

The emergence of robotic technology has turned this science fiction fantasy into reality. From bionic limbs to neural implants, robots have fundamentally transformed human life.

In this blog, we’ll explore a new concept known as “cyborgs” to understand if it transcends the boundary between man and machine or enhances human life.

What is Cyborg Technology?

Cyborgs, or cybernetic organisms, refer to entities that embody the fusion of biological and artificial components.

Consider someone who relies on machines or implants to restore function or enhance abilities. If a person has implants like an insulin pump or a heart valve, they could be termed as cyborgs.

The Dilemma of Cyborgs: Fusion of Biological and Synthetic Elements

The dilemma of cyborgs presents a modern paradox, questioning if we can exchange natural or human aspects for technological progress.

Imagine having a microchip implant to enhance memory or a cybernetic arm for increased strength. Subsequently, you might be perceived as superior to normal humans and gain better life opportunities.

However, one cannot overlook the distancing from nature it entails. Recognition would not stem from your achievements but from your gadgets and implants.

The question here is whether this is the right path. While you may store more data, you may lose the essence of the human version. Depending more on machines might make you forget how to naturally improve your skills, intellect, and strength.

Before deeming it a negative concept, we must consider that every advancement has its benefits, challenges, and ethical dilemmas. Therefore, understanding these viewpoints is essential to discern if cyborg technology brings about positive or negative stages in human evolution.

Eight Recent Examples of Cyborg Technology:

1. Neil Harbisson – Color-sensing Antenna

Neil Harbisson was born into a black-and-white world. In 2004, his colorless experience turned into a colorful canvas when an electronic antenna was implanted into the back of his head. It converted light frequencies into vibrations in his brain, enabling him to hear colors, including ultraviolet and infrared frequencies.

2. Scott-Morgan – Synthetic Speech Clone

Scott-Morgan, a robotics expert, hailed as one of the most advanced human cyborgs. Diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 2017, he improved his life with the help of advanced technology, groundbreaking surgeries, and implants. One of the greatest human-machine fusions involved removing his vocal cords and designing a lifelike avatar and synthetic speech clone.

Utilizing AI-powered software and advanced robotic wheelchairs, he communicates via facial expressions, interacts with people through a screen on his chest, and has outlived his expected lifespan.

In 2019, he officially began being referred to as ‘Peter 2.0.’

3. Kevin Warwick – Robotic Hand

Kevin Warwick is renowned for linking the nervous system with robotic technology. Through various surgical procedures, he became the first person to successfully implant a device into his left arm. His robotic hand receives signals from the nervous system, allowing him to control his hand anywhere in the world.

4. Moon Ribas – Dancing to Earthquake Rhythms

Modern dancer Moon Ribas implanted sensors in her feet to respond to seismic activities worldwide. She uses these sensations to create unique dance performances. Later, she became a cyborg activist, dedicated to spreading environmental awareness.

5. Manel Munoz – Exploring New Ways of Seeing the World

Manel Munoz is a Spanish biohacker known for implanting devices and spreading cyborg technology to enhance human capabilities.

One of his most notable works involves implanting NFC chips in his hand, allowing him to enhance his abilities in various ways, such as sharing information, opening doors, and making payments after shopping. Additionally, he implanted RFID chips to help track movement and location.

Other implants include a temperature sensor in his chest and magnetic implants on his fingers, helping him explore new ways to interact with the world and improve his quality of life.

6. Manel de Aguas – Head-implanted Fin

Manel de Aguas, a renowned Spanish robotic artist, implanted a weather-sensing fin in his own head, allowing him to sense changes in humidity, temperature, and air pressure. He can predict environmental changes using his unique fin.

7. Hannah Meltzer – Head Magnet Implants

Hannah Meltzer, a prominent visual performance artist, implanted magnets in her ears and fingers to detect and feel magnetic fields. She uses these powers to add versatility to her art. Her most captivating art pieces include sculptures activated by magnetic fields, soundscapes, and music created with magnetic fields.

8. Stelios Arcadio – Artificial Ear Implant on Arm

Performance artist Stelios Arcadio believes humans will evolve into robots. He surgically implanted a artificially grown ear on his left arm, providing a new perspective on cyborgs and attracting audiences to witness human-machine interfaces.

In one of his performances, he connected electrodes to his body, allowing the audience to control his muscles through the internet. His astounding human-machine interactions have been a focal point in the field of robotic art.

Will Humans Ultimately Become Robots?

The complete evolution of humans into robots seems speculative. To contemplate the future evolution pattern of humans, we must consider factors that might hinder this evolutionary change. These factors include safety and regulatory issues, ethical and social principles, individual decisions, medical applications, costs, technological limitations, and threats to humanity.

On one hand, robots are beneficial in aiding the disabled, diseased, or anyone suffering. On the other hand, people use them to enhance their abilities, becoming better, smarter versions of themselves. With growing interest in high-level positions, we’re likely to see extraordinary cyborg-human versions in the future.

We cannot ignore the potential for the wealthy to turn themselves into superheroes, leading to high levels of inequality, conflict, and racism. People will rely more on machines and implants rather than improving their skills and learning to achieve success and power.

The trajectory of human-robot evolution depends on future developments, trends, and people’s interests. Ultimately, whether to fully evolve into robots will be a collective decision of society. Before making any decisions, we must examine potential benefits and threats and strive to spread awareness accordingly.

Advantages of Cyborg Technology:

Cyborg technology offers potential advantages such as:

1. Rehabilitation

Cyborg technology is highly appreciated for its role in aiding the disabled. With advanced functionalities, it assists in restoring lost functions such as limb movement, hearing, vision, and other sensations. Examples include cochlear implants, pacemakers, prosthetics, and artificial joints.

2. Unlocking New Opportunities

Robots are also used to enhance existing abilities, such as better vision or physical prowess. Additionally, you can use them to adopt any unique function or ability, such as sensing infrared, temperature changes, or enhancing cognitive abilities like superpowers.

3. Social Benefits

With cyborgs, we can envision a society without disabilities or health issues, leading to a better, healthier, and longer-lived society. However, ethical guidelines must be implemented so that they cannot be utilized negatively by anyone.

4. Medical Welfare

Cyborgs help improve medical procedures, making doctors more capable in dealing with any serious injuries, illnesses, or disabilities. Specifically, doctors can utilize deep brain stimulation to improve neurological diseases like Parkinson’s.

Disadvantages of Cyborgs:

Considerations before adopting semi-mechanical beings include:

1. Unforeseen Consequences

The concept of robots is nearly novel, so we don’t know the extent of damage it might cause. With increasing dependence on robots, it may lead to societal unrest or environmental degradation, even causing uncontrollable consequences.

2. Cost and Safety

Robots are extremely expensive; hence, it may foster social inequality. Additionally, due to being in the early stages of development, some risks are associated with our safety, such as implant malfunctions or infections.

3. Social Inequality

People are not using it to restore functions but to enhance existing abilities. They also use it to become outstanding individuals with unique powers—altering nature. The wealthy can easily gain these powers, leading to dominance in society. They may even gain more opportunities in business, work, and professions, causing inequality.

4. Ethical Issues

Human-machine integration raises concerns about autonomy, privacy, kindness, and non-malevolence. There are still no available ethical guidelines. Hence, we cannot be sure it won’t be abused.

Robots – Threat or Opportunity?

The motivation behind every technological update is to assist humanity and improve quality of life. Similarly, robots have the same goal – to enhance or augment human capabilities. Robots can improve our quality of life in multiple ways but also pose societal and ethical issues. Whether it’s a threat or an opportunity depends on its development trajectory and purpose.

Using robots to aid patients is the best practice, but enhancing existing abilities or altering nature is questionable. Extensive research and ethical considerations must be undertaken to determine the future of us as humans or robots.

Conclusion

The human-machine dynamics are transitioning from interaction to a true partnership. The close interaction between humans and machines is progressing at an unprecedented pace. As robotic technology evolves, we must consider multiple factors such as societal, ethical, etc., to avoid risks and serious harm to humanity. Robots cannot replace humans, but if we rely entirely on machines and alter nature to gain power and advantage, we can foresee humans evolving into robots.