Human Augmentation Chad Richards Abstract

Human Augmentation

1. Abstract

2. 1. Introduction

   1. 1.1 Problem

2. 1.2 Objective

3. 1.3 Context

Today, this can be seen in advanced bionic arm prosthetic technology, which not only allow users to regain normal functionality by being able to grasp objects and open doors, for instance, but also allow users to control the arm using only their minds, which includes adjusting grip strength just by thinking about it [3]. Another example, hearing aid technology, is nowhere near as advanced as prosthetic arms. They are currently susceptible to environmental conditions, such as wind, and also need frequent volume readjustment, which currently have to be sent to a hearing aid specialist to readjust. In the future, this technology will advance to automatically adjust to environmental conditions and will have an automatic smart volume control. To accomplish this, though, a network of smart sensors will need to be implemented in the device. These are just two examples of the vast world of human augmentations, a world that will one day cease to consist of the mostly unintelligent devices of the present and help to fulfill the goals of pervasive computing.

3. 2. Related Work

   1. 2.1 Key Technologies

Ubiquitous computing – Ubiquitous computing involves making machines fit into the human environment rather than forcing humans into theirs [4]. Ubiquitous computing implies that the machines will be widespread and constantly encountered. Ubiquitous computing is limited in that it requires all devices to be intelligent and also requires a worldwide network of wireless sensors. Not only that, but machines must also have a universally accepted code that differentiates every instance of every device on the planet in order to be controlled by smart controllers.

2. 2.2 Related Work

3. 2.3 Related Class Projects

• 
  Ontology – The project relates to ontologies because ontologies involve a great deal of research into their areas to be able to associate concepts concerning a specific domain. The Human Augmentation project required significant research into the augmentation domain.
  
• 
  Smart Devices – Smart devices make devices, people, pets, and all other things, smarter and easier to use. In other words, smart devices attempt to improve on existing technologies. Human augmentations attempt to do the same, but are specific to humans. Human augmentations improve human capabilities, much like smart devices improve device (and later, all other things) technology.
  

4. 3. Human Augmentation Experiments

   1. 3.1 Silencio Super Ear Experiment

      1. 3.1.1 Setup

2. 3.1.2 Results

1. 
   The quick brown fox jumped over the log.
   
2. 
   The forest was filled with giant white oak trees.
   
3. 
   This is the first day of the rest of your life.
   
4. 
   Imagination is more important than knowledge.
   
5. 
   Sam and Dean had a heck of a time fighting off the viathin.
   
6. 
   Things that are hard should not have to be learned.
   
7. 
   I will have the large salad and diet Pepsi, please.
   
8. 
   I am hungry.
   
9. 
   If exercise was a pill people would do it all the time.
   
10. 
    These are the ten sentences I came up with.
    

Distance: 90'

Sentences:

1. 
   The quick brown fox jumped over the light.
   
2. 
   was filled with light.
   
3. 
   
   
4. 
   Imagination is more
   
5. 
   Sam and dean . never
   
6. 
   
   
7. 
   
   
8. 
   8. hungry
   
9. 
   9. people would do it all the time.
   
10. 
    These are the ten sentences I
    

Distance: 75'

1. 
   The quick brown fox jumped over the light.
   
2. 
   The forest is filled with blue cheese.
   
3. 
   This is the first.
   
4. 
   Imagination is more important than the moon.
   
5. 
   Sam and Dean had a heck of a time fighting.
   
6. 
   Things that are.
   
7. 
   I will have the large salad and diet Pepsi, please.
   
8. 
   I am hungry.
   
9. 
   If exercise, people would do it all the time.
   
10. 
    These are the ten sentences I can remember.
    

Distance: 60',

1. 
   The quick brown fox jumped over the moon.
   
2. 
   The forest was filled with giant wonton trees.
   
3. 
   This is the first day of the rest of my life.
   
4. 
   Imagination is more important than I am.
   
5. 
   Sam and Dean had a heck of a time fighting for their life.
   
6. 
   Things that are hard should not have to be learned.
   
7. 
   I will have a large salad and diet Pepsi, please.
   
8. 
   I am hungry.
   
9. 
   If exercise was a pill, people would do it all the time.
   
10. 
    These are the ten sentences I came up with.
    

3. 3.1.3 Conclusion

2. 3.2 HD Aviators Experiment

   1. 3.2.1 Setup

2. 3.2.2 Results

3. 3.2.3 Conclusion

5. 4. Human Augmentation Progress

   1. 4.1 Introduction

2. 4.2 Vision

On the other hand, there are many external, non-implantable, devices that enhance vision beyond normal human capabilities. MIT created a new device that allows users to see moving objects through walls [11]. The device is an 8.5 foot array of antennae arranged in two vertical rows, with eight signal receiving elements resting above thirteen signal transmitting elements [11]. Though it cannot see at-rest objects, it is able to see moving objects from a range of 15 to 40 feet [11]. Along the same lines of that project, DARPA is also working on extending the range of current see-through-wall technology past the eight meter maximum limit that has existed thus far [12].

There have been night vision devices utilized since World War II, but these have remarkably improved over time [13]. Now, they are even capable of instantaneously adapting to changing light conditions [13]. Binoculars provide telescopic vision to consumers and members of the military, alike. These devices have existed since the 17^th century, when the first telescope was invented [14]. The latest advancement in binocular technology is image-stabilization, which lowers the effects from shaking [14].

There have been numerous applications for helmet mounted displays (HMDs). Helmet mounted displays allow computer-generated images to be produced by the display and shown to the user [15]. The purpose of HMDs is to show more information about an environment, such as distance to objects, than regular vision can display. Some of these devices show only computer-generated images, while others are capable of mixing real world images with computer-generated images [15]. Though many of these devices are used to enhance the video game environment, the military has also been using them in aviation and paratroopers [15]. One application for military use has been to display thermal imaging data of the wearer's surroundings [15].

In the future, vision augmentations could also include microscopic vision. Human eyes do not have the ability to zoom in on any object. The University of Washington has developed a contact lens that is capable of having electronics implanted in it [16]. According to the project head, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering Babak Parviz, “Using nanotechnology you can extend the sophistication of the contact lens as far as you like. There is interest in including cameras on the contact lens and incorporating other lenses so that, for example, if you were looking at something very small, you would be able to zoom in to get a closer look. Similarly, if something is far away, you would be able to zoom in.” [16] An update to this project has already shown a possible improvement in head-mounted displays, which would involve using contact lenses instead of HMDs [17]. This could provide a much more adaptable solution for ground military units and intelligence agents. Instead of having to wear a bulky HMD, a user could wear a pair of small contact lenses that display information in real-time to them in front of their normal vision.

Vision augmentations today are mainly corrective in nature, but there are many wearable devices that enhance normal human vision, granting superhuman capabilities. With advancing technology in night vision, microscopic and telescopic vision, extending vision into more than just the visible light spectrum, heads-up display technology, and an exciting, new electronic contact lens that has numerous enhancement possibilities, it is only a matter of time before humans have bionic eyes. Vision isn't the only progress being made by human augmentation technology, though. Next, hearing augmentations will be discussed.

3. 4.3 Hearing

Several devices, such as the Bionic Ear and Booster Set by KJB Security, do claim to provide super-hearing capabilities [19]. KJB Security claims their device is capable of enhancing sounds up to 100 yards way [19]. A similar device, the Silencio Super Ear, was tested for this project, and the amplification of that device does grant a modest amount of super-hearing capabilities. Unfortunately, these devices are highly affected by environmental factors, such as wind speed, rain, and also by objects that obstruct the path of the device.

It would be nice to see further advancements in the area of super-hearing. There are a range of possibilities for future hearing augmentations. Focused hearing would grant humans the ability to focus closely on hearing one or several people or things while simultaneously eliminating the sounds any other person or object makes. Secure hearing would allow only the people you wish to hear you to be able to hear you [20]. Granting the ability for humans to have selectable frequency cut-offs for hearing, such as when loud construction is going on, would also be a possibility [20]. Unfortunately, devices available today, such as the Bionic Ear from KJB Security, are the only currently pursued target area for hearing augmentation. As this technology continues to improve, though, these devices will become small enough to be portable and concealable, or even become an implantable part of the human ear itself.

4. 4.4 Smell

Reactivating the inactive nasal genes are not the only possibility for augmenting human smell capabilities. The entire nasal pathway must be taken in consideration. In fact, there has already been one study done that changed the way the olfactory sensors sent signals to the brain by deleting “a subtype of voltage-gated potassium (Kv 1.3) channel in mice.” This resulted in the production of super-smelling mice, becoming 1,000-10,000 times more sensitive to odors [21].

Past the potential for enhancement, currently there are no augmentations that augment a human's sense of smell. The super-olfactory mice study holds potential for human development in the future, though. There is another technology that combines taste and smell to produce a false sensation, however, and the Meta Cookie shall be discussed in the next section on the sense of taste.

5. 4.5 Taste

Another very exciting taste augmentation found was Meta Cookie, which “uses virtual reality to make a cookie taste like anything you want.” [23] Meta Cookie consists of a head-mounted display device that contains many scented air flavors and an augmentation marker branded on a plain cookie [23]. The HMD displays the look of any selected cookie instead of the plain cookie, depending on what augmented reality code was branded on the cookie [23]. Along with that, the HMD device determines what scented air flavors to release to the wearer based on the augmented reality code [23]. The wearer eats the plain cookie and fully believes it is another type of cookie. This could have many potential uses, such as making plain or distasteful foods taste like any food the wearer wishes.

With these innovations, it seems augmented reality holds the key to the future of taste augmentations. As devices get smaller over time, one can speculate that in the distant future, these sensors will be small enough to fit on the human tongue, or even implantable in the taste buds of the tongue. Thus, augmented taste reality today could become a commonplace human augmentation of the future.

6. 4.6 Touch

Already, researchers are working on creating prosthetic limbs that can “feel what they touch” [25]. Such technology can be used to return people missing limbs to full functionality. This technology can also provide haptic (sense of touch) feedback to surgeons using robots for surgery [26]. By being able to feel what the robot touches, surgeons can operate more effectively without the need to operate on a patient in person. This method could not only be more accurate, but also prevent possible diseases and infection from human contamination. The technology could also be used for military units to control remote vehicles more precisely by being able to feel the way the vehicle is operating [27].

Aside from haptic feedback, NASA has been using spacesuits for decades that can withstand extreme temperatures, beyond the range of -250 to +250 degrees Fahrenheit [28]. Spacesuits have to be made to handle the extreme cold temperatures of space and the extreme heat from the Sun. There are also heat-resistant work gloves that can handle up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit in short durations [29]. In extreme cases, some gloves can be heated up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit for a short time [29].

These are not the advancements mentioned in comic books or in biblical references, such as improved flexibility and healing through touch; haptic feedback can provide a similar functionality to healing through touch by allowing surgeons increased precision and less chances of infection and disease, but it is not an instantaneous healing process. However, extreme temperature-handling provided by heat-resistant gloves and spacesuits and haptic feedback are important steps in the future of human skin augmentations that can lead to many more advancements. After having looked at the augmentations provided by the five senses of humans, it is now time to dive into one of the most exciting fields of human augmentation study, the improvement of the human brain.

7. 4.7 Mental Capabilities

The first of these, never forgetting, has been a work-in-progress for a long time now. Biomedical engineer and neuroscientist Ted Berger has been involved with improving human memory for over fifteen years [30]. Recently, as mentioned in section 2.2 of this document, neurophysiologist Samuel Deadwyler and Berger developed the first memory prosthetic device, which gives rats restored brain function and improved short-term memory retention [6]. The scientists created an artificial hippocampus, attached electrodes to the rats' brains, and had the rats press levers in a specific order [6]. When the artificial hippocampus was turned on, the rats could remember which order they had pressed the levers [6]. When turned off, they could not [6]. The team is currently working on moving their research into primates, and are very hopeful for human testing [6]. Charles Wilson, a neuroscientist and emeritus professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, believes, “the fact that it could be done in animals suggests to me that a similar thing could be done in humans.” [6]

Telepathy, also known as mind-control, is also a viable avenue currently being pursued by both the military and the video game industry. The military recently awarded $4 million to three universities to “begin developing 'thought helmets' that would harness silent brain waves for secure communication between troops.” [31] The ultimate goal of the program is to have “direct mental control of military systems by thought alone.” [31] The video game industry is also working on mind-control. In fact, Emotiv has already released a mind-control device that “uses a set of sensors to tune into electric signals produced by the brain to detect player thoughts, feelings and expressions and connects wirelessly to most PCs.” [32] The purpose of the Emotiv is to allow users to control games and applications using only their minds. This augmentation is currently available on the market for consumers for $299 and for developers for $500 [32].

Telekinesis is the ability to move objects with your mind. Today, telekinesis exists in prosthetic limbs that can be controlled using only the brain [3]. However, that technology requires the device to be attached to the user's nerves in order to work. With the development of smart technology, however, this may be a limitation that is soon overcome. Smart devices, unlike regular devices such as toasters, coffee makers, microwaves, and washing machines, are able to be controlled using a smart controller which is able to access all of the device's features and control every smart device instead of only one device. It is quite feasible that a universal smart controller in the future could be implanted in the brain to control every smart device the user has security privileges to control using only his or her mind. In this way, telekinesis could become more than just science fiction. It, very well, could one day become a reality.

The same technology that the military seeks with telekinesis could also allow for downloadable memories. Currently, this technology does not exist, but the technology to receive brain waves does. When science has unraveled more of the mysteries of the human brain, such as exactly how memory works, the thought helmets sought out by the military could take brain waves produced when a person is remembering something and download these to a computer. There could also be new technology that would simply scan a person's brain for all memories and download them to a computer. Implanting them would require more of the type of technology that the conceptual implantable smart controller would contain. If the smart controller could also receive signals instead of just sending them out, it could interact with memory and store new memories. Being able to control many smart devices at once could also enhance productivity. A single cashier could scan all smart items customers are purchasing at every register simultaneously, for instance. If someone tried to steal from the store, the cashier could automatically lock the smart exit doors and call the police without ever touching a door or a phone.

The brain is an exciting area of study because so little is known about the way the brain works, and each discovery is, literally, a revelation. There are numerous technologies that make use of the knowledge we do have, and many possibilities exist for brain enhancements in the future. So far, augmentations affecting the five human senses and the human brain have been discussed. There are several miscellaneous human augmentations that could prove to be just as useful, however.

8. 4.8 Miscellaneous

   1. 4.8.1 Blood

Along with artificial blood, nanoparticles inserted into the bloodstream yield the potential to destroy drug-resistant bacteria without destroying red blood cells [35]. Unlike traditional antibiotics, “these nanostructures are physically attracted to infected cells like a magnet, allowing them to selectively eradicate difficult to treat bacteria without destroying healthy cells around them.” [35] Furthermore, “the nanoparticles also prevent the bacteria from developing drug resistance by breaking through the cell wall and membrane.” [35]

2. 4.8.2 Bone

Another technology being used to replace metals and ceramics is wood [37]. Live bones would heal faster with wood bone substitutes than with ceramics [37]. Live bones would also grow more quickly into the bone substitutes and be more secure [37]. Ceramics also put added stress on bones since they are much harder than the surrounding bone, which may lead to breaking down the surrounding bone until they break. Wood substitutes, which are significantly softer than ceramics and metals, would put less stress on the surrounding bones, potentially causing fewer broken bones [37].

6. 5. Conclusions

   1. 5.1 Summary

2. 5.2 Potential Impact

3. 5.3 Future Work

1. Bios

• 
  Chad Richards – Richards is a senior Computer Engineering major in the Computer Science and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He has completed relevant courses in algorithms and virtual worlds. He has been a professional web designer for the past five years, with experience in various scripting and database languages. In his design job, he has also created several web applications, requiring the use of programming languages such as C, C++, and Java and scripting languages such as Flash Actionscript, SQL, and PHP. He has also recently undergone corrective eye surgery, giving him first-hand experience into what human augmentation can be like. In the Human Augmentation project, he was responsible for researching and documenting human augmentation technology and setting up and performing experiments to test current human augmentation technology. In order to obtain ideas of where augmentation technology may go in the future, the type of augmentation technology tested was decided to be those that claim to give superhuman capabilities.
  
• 
  Dr. Craig Thompson, Mentor – Thompson is a professor in the Computer Science and Computer Engineering Department. He leads the Everything is Alive research project that is currently focusing on how to simulate pervasive computing using 3D virtual worlds. See http://vw.ddns.uark.edu.
  

8. References

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[3] Charleton, Gene (26 Mar 2010). Bionic Arm Moved By Thought. Discovery News. Retrieved from http://news.discovery.com/tech/bionic-arm-moved-by-thought.html.

[4] (28 Oct 2011). Ubiquitous computing. Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubiquitous_computing.

[5] (3 Dec 2011). Virtual world. Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_world.

[6] Gravitz, Lauren (23 Jun 2011.). A First Step Toward a Prosthesis for Memory. Technology Review. Retrieved from http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/37873/.

[7] CBS (21 Sep 2009). The Pentagon's Bionic Arm. CBS News. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/10/60minutes/main4935509.shtml.

[8] Pearson, Carol (15 Apr 2011). Bionic Arm Can Move, Feel. Voice of America. Retrieved from http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/Bionic-Arm-Can-Move-Feel- 119921104.html.

[9] Flatley, Joseph L. (8 Jul 2010). Telescopic eye implant approved by the FDA. Engadget. Retrieved from http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/08/telescopic-eye-implant-approved- by-the-fda/.

[10] Saenz, Aaron (9 Nov 2010). Retina Implant Restores Vision, Lets Cyborgs See IR Spectrum! Singularity Hub. Retrieved from http://singularityhub.com/2010/11/09/retina-implant-restores-vision-lets-cyborgs-see-ir- light/.

[11] Tejada, Alicia (20 Oct 2011). MIT Develops New Radar Technology: Military Could See Through Walls. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/radar- technology-mit-walls/story?id=14773871.

[12] Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Biometrics-at-a-distance. 12.1 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR). Retrieved from http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/solicitations/sbir20121/darpa121.htm.

[13] (23 Nov 2011). Night vision device. Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_vision_device.

[14] (27 Nov 2011). Binoculars. Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binoculars.

[15] (9 Nov 2011). Head-mounted display. Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head-mounted_display.

[16] Hanlon, Mike (21 Jan 2008). Electronic Contact Lens promises bionic capabilities for everyone. Gizmag. Retrieved from http://www.gizmag.com/electronic-contact-lens- promises-bionic-capabilities-for-everyone/8689/.

[17] Lingley, A. R., Ali, M., Liao, Y., Mirjalili, R., Klonner, M., Sopanen, M., Suihkonen, S., Shen, T., Otic, B. P., Lipsanen, H., and Parvis, B. A. (22 Nov 2011). A single-pixel wireless contact lens display. Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, 21 125014.

[18] Cochlear Implants. PBS.org. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/soundandfury/cochlear/hearingaids.html.

[19] Bionic Ear and Booster Set. KJB Security Products, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.kjbsecurity.com/voice-security/listen-voice/bionic-ear-and-booster- set/112.htm.

[20] Thompson, Craig (1 Jul 2008). Modeling Healthcare Logistics in a Virtual World. Retrieved from http://vw.ddns.uark.edu/content/designdoc.htm.

[21] Anonymous (24 Oct 2009). Olfactory enhancement. Human Enhancement and Biopolitics. Retrieved from http://hplusbiopolitics.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/olfactory- enhancement/.

[22] Melanson, Donald (3 Dec 2010). Augmented reality TagCandy creates a virtual taste explosion. Engadget. Retrieved from http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/03/augmented- reality-tagcandy-creates-a-virtual-taste-explosion/.

[23] Frucci, Adam (9 Aug 2010). Meta Cookie Uses Virtual Reality to Make a Cookie Taste Like Anything You Want. Gizmodo. Retrieved from http://gizmodo.com/5608457/meta- cookie-uses-virtual-reality-to-make-a-cookie-taste-like-anything-you-want.

[24] Rand, William L. (n.d.). Similarities between the Healing of Jesus and Reiki. Reiki Articles. Retrieved from http://www.reiki.org/reikinews/reikin15.html.

[25] Rice (27 Jul 2011). Researchers aim for 'direct brain control' of prosthetic arms. Rice News & Media Relations. Retrieved from http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp? MODE=VIEW&ID=15983&SnID=1928481914.

[26] Kuroda, Y. and Oshiro, O. (17 Dec 2010). Visual and haptic augmentations for surgical navigation. Micro-NanoMechatronics and Human Science (MHS), 2010 International Symposium on, 7-10 Nov. 2010 (pp 71-76).

[27] Horan, B., Najdovski, Z., and Nahavandi, S. (4 Apr 2008). 3D Virtual Haptic Cone for Intuitive Vehicle Motion Control. Virtual Reality Conference, 2008. VR '08. IEEE, 8-12 Mar 2008 (pp 263-264).

[28] Canright, Shelley and Dunbar, Brian (9 Jul 2009). Spacesuits and Spacewalks Fact Sheet. NASA. Retrieved from http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/spacesuits/facts/facts- index.html.

[29] High Temperature Hand Protection. T.A.S.C.O. Retrieved from http://www.tasco- safety.com/workgloves/high-temperature-gloves.html.

[30] Handelman, Stephen (3 Apr 2007). The Memory Hacker. Popsci: The Future Now. Retrieved from http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2007-04/memory-hacker.

[31] Thompson, Mark (14 Sep 2008). The Army's Totally Serious Mind-Control Project. Time U.S. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1841108,00.html.

[32] Emotiv (2011). Emotiv: you think, therefore, you can. Emotiv. Retrieved from http://emotiv.com/.

[33] (26 Nov 2011). Blood substitute. Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_substitute.

[34] Macrae, Fiona (28 Oct 2011). Synthetic blood created by British scientists could be used in transfusions in just two years. Mail Online. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2053829/Artificial-blood-stem-cells-used- transfusions-just-years.html.

[35] Editor (4 Apr 2011). IBM nanoparticles can destroy drug-resistant bacteria. Kurzweil: Accelerating Intelligence. Retrieved from http://www.kurzweilai.net/nanoparticles-can- obliterate-cell-walls-of-drug-resistant-bacteria.

[36] Mayne, Eleanor (14 Apr 2007). The artificial bones created from an inkjet. Mail Online. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-448654/The-artificial-bones- created-inkjet.html.

[37] Bland, Eric (10 Aug 2010). New Artificial Bone Made of Wood. Discovery News. Retrieved from http://news.discovery.com/tech/artificial-bone-made-wood.html.

10. Appendix A – Deliverables Manifest

TERM PROJECT FINAL REPORT—Human Augmentation—Richards.doc contains this document, the final report for the term project.