Campaign:NHNE/General/Cybernetics
Description[edit]
The ability to modify and enhance the human body through cybernetics is something that the New Earth System is only just becoming conversant with.
Generally Available Technologies[edit]
Cosmetic Enhancement[edit]
These include various different technologies from embedding chromatophores below the skin (Dynamic Tattoos) or on the hair (e.g. Daveed's hair colouration technologies) to surgery to change bone structure (at its earliest) to viral DNA re-writing that causes the body to rebuild itself. Various changes of gut biota can cause users to gain or lose weight, change melatonin levels in the skin, etc.
Drug Dispensers[edit]
Various technologies for monitoring levels of specific chemicals and countering them by administering certain drugs (e.g. Insulin for Diabetes) are widely available, and these have been modified for dispensing other substances under various conditions.
Neural Communications (Audio Only)[edit]
Recent advances have allowed the direct connection of radio transceivers to the neural centres in the brain. These systems allow the user to "Hear" radio and "Speak" using a radio transmitter. Early versions effectively used the Aural and Vocal processors by tying speakers into the ear channel and a mike to the voice-box - but these quickly updated to allow direct connections to the biological control systems in the brain itself.
Prosthetic Replacement[edit]
The earliest forms of Cyber-Tech enabled specific part of the body to be replaced or supported. Some were able to provide minimal value needed just for life, but were unable to meet the extremes of day to day existence.
By 300 the replacement of bones was relatively commonplace - the replacement of muscle, skin, etc. possible either by bionic regrowth using the patient's own DNA or by mechanical replacement. The issue with enhancements were not addressed because of the problems of making one part out of balance with others just caused problems elsewhere. Indeed, the issues with the technologies sometimes meant that the new parts never reached the old levels of functionality.
It should be noted that the full replacement of eyes is one of the areas that is still not solved - although some cosmetic changes are possible.
Sensor Encapsulation[edit]
Various sensors can be embedded in the body using modern grafting techniques. These include magnetic field sensors (e.g. compass), radiation detectors, etc.
Sub-Dermal Armour[edit]
First developed for protection of workers in high-risk commercial environments, the earliest versions tend to give the person in whom they are installed slight sheet on the skin as if it is newly healed. The most widely available versions make the skin tough using a micro-mesh structure.
A favourite of gang-enforcers is a modified version that uses the technology to add weight to the punch like knuckle-dusters or to include claws.
Research Technologies[edit]
Encapsulation[edit]
Encapsulation technologies have been subject to research and the range of items it is possible to encapsulate has increased. Police have even found examples of stunners, guns and tasers embedded in some arrested criminals
Neural Communications (Audio-Visual)[edit]
Neural Communications are developing to tie the Visual Cortex into the neural communications systems - to allow what the user sees to be transmitted, and what they receive to be understood like watching a video or holographic display. Versions that effectively transmit images into the eyes as an internal HUD are available for specialist users.
Neural Communications (Data)[edit]
The other direction in which the neural communications has developed is to allow direct connection between a person's brain and a computer network. These are predicated upon the Audio-Visual Neural Comms as the basis for data interpretation. This may include addition of a direct port for data cable plugs.
Physical Augmentation[edit]
The prosthetic replacement of body-parts, combined with the sub-dermal armour type technologies allows the body to be modified to improve the physical characteristics of that body. Strength and Endurance and even the Dexterity of a person can be improved with the required bio-mechanical upgrades.
Sub-Dermal Armour[edit]
Improved versions of sub-dermal armour providing enhanced protection are reputed to be available in research centres