Human Augmentation - What it is, How does it work?

What is Human Augmentation?

Human augmentation technology is being developed to improve the working capabilities of humans. This technology will enhance the performance, health, and quality of life. Another thing in this technology is establishing the communication between humans and machines and how they can work together. The advancement of artificial intelligence can help in this improvement.

Types of Human Augmentation

Human augmentation is of three types discussed below ?

Sensory

Sensory technology can restore the abilities of human beings to perform their work well. This technology also helps compensate for human impairments. Interpretation of multi-sensory information can enhance the human senses. Prosthetic limbs benefit the people who lack them. Voice synthesizers benefit people who are unable to speak and hearing aids can be used for people who are unable to hear.

Action

Augmented actions are used for the improvement of physical abilities. People can use their artificial limbs to perform different tasks. Humans can use robotics to perform different types of tasks. Artificial devices will help humans to increase their strength and improve their eyesight.

Cognitive

Augmented cognitive technology helps to improve memory and decision-making abilities. Computers and technology can assist in the cognitive process.

How does Human Augmentation work?

Human augmentation works by using different technologies to enhance working, thinking, memorizing, decision-making, and other abilities. The technologies used by the human augmentation are as follows ?

Biotechnology

The cognitive processes and physical abilities of humans use human augmentation technology for enhancement. All these things are possible by using biotechnology, which includes biological processes to develop new products to enhance human abilities. The usage of CRISPR and other techniques can improve human genes. Biotechnology can edit DNA to control diseases like cancer, diabetes, blood diseases, etc.

Robotics and AI

Robotics is a technology that humans can use to perform many complicated tasks. Soldiers can use Ekso Bionics to carry heavy equipment.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is used to develop tiny medical implants so that damaged cells can be repaired or replaced. Nanoparticles can travel to the cell membrane, and then the target cells are repaired with the help of drugs released by these particles.

Examples of Human Augmentation

Human augmentation has many examples discussed below ?

Naked Prosthetics

Naked Prosthetics helps to create custom hands for people whose hands or fingers are amputated. Naked Prosthetics is considered one of the first companies to make such products to help disabled people.

eSight

The eSight is a wearable device that blind people or people with weak eyesight can use. This device includes cameras on the front, which display everything on the screen. The screen is located in front of the wearer's eyes.

MotionSavvy

MotionSavvy is a platform for translating sign language and speech into each other. This technology can be considered a personal translator, and deaf people can use it. Similar apps will be developed for translation in the future.

Cochlear Implants

Cochlear is a company that has developed products to improve hearing without wearing any external hearing aid.

Bioprinting

Bioprinting is used to create organic tissues like bones, organs, skin, and many more. The technique used for making these body parts is known as 3D printing. Bioprinting technology is in its infancy, but it can give new dimensions to the medical industry.

Exoskeletons

Exoskeletons are the wearable mechanical devices that people can wear to get such a strength that users can lift a weight to 200 pounds. They can also work comfortably with the heavy machinery. They will never get strained while doing repetitive tasks.

Neuralink

Neuralink is a project to create a brain-computer interface. This technology can help humans to communicate with the computer on a neural level. Elon Musk started the project.

Waverly Labs

Waverly Labs has created earbuds that can be used for translation, and there is no need to learn any other language. The technology is in its infancy and is unreliable because it can translate only a few languages.

Google Glass

Google Glass technology can improve vision. It is an Android device that comes with eyeglasses Google discontinued this technology in 2023.

HoloLens 2

Microsoft has developed a technology called HoloLens 2, which can visualize and manipulate objects in holographic form. It can be used in 3D-aided design, employee training, etc.

Benefits of Human Augmentation

There are many benefits of human augmentation listed below ?

• Humans can enhance their working abilities by improving their skills and expanding their capabilities beyond what they can do
• Human augmentation provides benefits in different fields like healthcare, finance, manufacturing, military, and many more
• Employees can use human augmentation technology to lift heavy loads and work without any fatigue and strain
• Human augmentation can be used in supply chain management as workers can use wearables with advanced sensors to improve their working capabilities.
• Human augmentation can help businesses develop superior products and earn more profits

Conclusion

Human augmentation is popular in various industries like healthcare, finance, manufacturing, etc. In healthcare, the development of artificial organs helps disabled people to do their jobs conveniently. Many projects are still under development, and their success can help humans translate content without learning any language. Wearable devices are being developed with advanced sensors to help people to lift heavy loads. Human augmentation technology improves working capabilities, and workers will not feel any fatigue or strain.

Human Augmentation FAQs

1. How is human augmentation beneficial in the field of military and defense?

Exoskeletons are a part of human augmentation technology. Exoskeletons can help soldiers to carry heavy loads easily and comfortably. Exoskeletons can increase the strength of soldiers, and they can do their work without getting tired.

2. How can athletes use human augmentation technology?

Human augmentation helps athletes in getting trained without any fatigue. The technology also prevents injuries, which is another benefit. Athletes can get these benefits by wearing fitness trackers and biometric sensors, which can monitor the patterns of movements and exertion levels. The data collected helps to organize proper training so that athletes can give their peak performance in the actual event.

3. Who is the inventor of human augmentation?

Douglas Engelbart is considered the inventor of human augmentation technology.