The U.S. military and DARPA may be working on turning soldiers into cyborgs by developing electronic chips to be implanted into the brain. Perhaps this is an instance where science takes matters a bit farther than desired or hoped. There are certain lines that could pose as a potential danger if they are crossed.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is now working on a method to plant a tiny chip into the brains of soldiers. It will work as the perfect translator between computers and humans, essentially bridging the gap between languages. The familiar zeroes and ones would be transformed into English, or any other language that the soldier would recognize. It could potentially be the ultimate device to connect two supercomputers, one of which is the human brain.
Humans could be wireless modems
It could mean that people will no longer need computers, laptops, or cells phones. People implanted with the chip will be able to communicate in what will be as close to telepathy as one would get. This could happen among all who have the same neural interface, and it could revolutionize the way humans communicate. It’s also perhaps a very scary thought.
The new project called Neural Engineering System Design (NESD) is looking at creating these implantable and biocompatible chips to be less than 1 cubic centimeter. Its main purpose would be to turn soldiers into cyborgs who both communicate and fight better. All visual or auditory data could be transmitted from one another as simple as a thought. The brain would essentially become a wireless modem, able to connect to others and electronic devices.
The revolution of communication
The ambitious goal of the project is to establish this futuristic way of communication to replace today’s devices. As a comparison, modern technology can secure around 100 different channels, but their aim is to up the number to 1 million when the human brain will be involved. Each neuron in part could be a potential channel. As stated by project manager, Philip Alvelda, you can imagine the possibilities if the bridge is built between the human brain and modern electronics.
Everything will be as far away as a single thought. It will be the real life version of sci-fi movies such as Universal Soldier. The cyborg soldiers could efficiently replace those patrolling the streets of war-worn countries, such as Syria, Iraq, and several others. However, it would be worrying because a connection would go both ways. With the brain being able to influence electronics, there’s no telling that it could not happen vice versa. Not to mention the numerous security vulnerabilities that can place the lives of soldiers at risk.
Big Brother could be truly watching, from a first-row seat actually.
However, there are several other fields which might benefit from the invasive tech. It could see to good uses in fields such as medicine, education, space exploration, research, and many others. The information would be always close and available. If anyone ever wished to download a book into their brain, that might actually become a reality. People who were born with deficiencies, be it sight or hearing, could have their senses enhance through a software tweak.
For now, the NESD project is still in its infancy. DARPA is still looking for investors, shareholders, and scientists to aid in the development process, willing to invest $60 million in the next four years. It could be decades before such a brain chip is even ready for testing though. If ever. Still, the possibility will be looming over the world.
Image source: comicvine.com
