Radio waves. Ultrasounds. Infrared. All these parts of our rich reality remain beyond the range of our human sensory suite. Our hearing detects air pressure fluctuations only between 20 and 20.000 beats per second. Our seeing is constrained merely to the visible light part of the electromagnetic spectrum. This is what we are equipped with by nature...
But what if we could extend our perception with the help of technology? What if we were able to be physically connected to everything that happens across the ether? What if we could communicate almost telepathically with humans and machines alike?
At DAFT Institute, the Research Unit investigates into the future of augmenting human perception. They try to find a match between the cutting edge scientific developments with the real-life situations. The results of their work will help define but also compensate the limits of human cognition.
Augmenting Implant Radio is a radio receiver connecting to human central nervous system. It is a miniature glass capsule with a receiver capable of tuning into most of the radio wavelengths. Acting as an antenna, human body amplifies the reception. This footage shows the implantation of the AIR at DAFT's research clinic. It is a safe procedure based on a similar one used for modern hearing implants. The AIR connects with the cochlear nerve, which links the inner ear directly to the brain. This way a direct interface between the wireless infosphere and the human auditory faculty can be created. In practice it will enable a person with the AIR to sense radio transmissions almost telepathically.
There is a range of potential applications for this very new technology. Severe insomnia due to lack of urban noise stimuli can be mitigated with the AIR. If implanted at an early stage of newborn's brain development, it is possible for the child to produce a natural understanding of radio signals alongside learning to interpret visual or acoustic information. The AIR can also make the next major leap towards realising mankind's long-yearned dream of ubiquitous computing and augmented reality.
DAFT Institute strongly believes in the future of man-machine symbiosis. Augmenting Implant Radio offers a new platform for augmented hearing and a promise of revolutionary change in human societies and behaviour. This is an informed trade-off between our progress and our hearing.
Call for volunteers! Augmenting Implant Radio will undergo a series of clinical tests later this year. We are calling for all volunteer participants, who wish to have the AIR implanted and go through the cognitive adaptation course. You can contribute to this pioneering research project!
