Professor of Cybernetics � Reading University
Greg Detre
22 May 00
AI Society
human disadvantages: senses, dimensions, speed, accuracy, power, transparency of mind
4 predator-prey robots in a pit � physically self-aware, insofar as they recognise their own IR signal in the mirror
Stellarc � artist � muscle stimulation from outside
KWarwick � radio ID signal emitted by surgically implanted chip
Univ of Tokyo � artificial controlled motor neurons in a cockroach
rats taught to press lever for reward, then through radio signal, taught that they only had to �think� about it to get reward
Medtronics � early research into Parkinson�s
after other drugs/treatments had stopped working, 2 lateral stimulators � incredibly effective
Emory University � Johnny Ray � paralysed, stroke in brainstem
3 months after, grew connections to the electrodes � was able to move a cursor on screen
at Reading � implant into the nerve fibres in the arm � monitoring send/receive signals
pick up emotional signals in the arm? e.g. pain, shock
transfer the signals to his wife�s arm-implant
= learning the basis of communications system
information about the sexual act!
why would emotional signals be noticeable in motor neurons? sense/motor neurons?
pain = modality, not emotion?
motor neurons carry emotion (MIT) ???
pain � simulated anger /shock as distinct signals down our arms
localised implants vs distributed coding
chimps ICSS � ceased all other functions, incl eating/sleeping etc.
cyborg � originally, pure symbiosis between cosmonauts + space suits
Desantos � media artist
Edwardo Kac - barcoded himself over the Internet
at the moment, it is us adapting the machines to fit us � soon, it�ll be the other way round �
bypassing sight � artificial retina � patch of 64 neurons, vs the bandwidth of the optic nerve
nerve channel � arm: encryption + bandwidth?
Bryan Andrews � Nuffield, Ox Uni, Reading
can�t communicate what we can�t decode
Multiple Drafts = like people in a nation?
what problems are there with Medtronics?
can we not just augment (in size alone) our brains, to aid our concept formation?
would need some way for our brains to determine what connections the electrodes form, just as neurons are able to form, break and strengthen connections continually
this would change our personality, both directly and indirectly as our limitations and therefore values change