A cyborg is a person who relies on electronic or mechanical devices—often implants—to boost or replace a bodily function. Once the exclusive domain of sci‑fi movies, comics, and TV shows, the idea of merging flesh with circuitry is now creeping into everyday reality. Thanks to a wave of groundbreaking inventions, the phrase “10 technologies bringing” us closer to a cyborg existence has never been more accurate. Below we break down ten of the most exciting upgrades that are turning science fiction into science fact.
10 technologies bringing us closer to a cyborg world
10 Robotic Exoskeleton
Roam Robotics, led by president Tim Swift, has carved a niche in the world of inflatable robotic exoskeletons. Their catalog currently showcases two flagship products: Ascend and Forge. Ascend is positioned as a medical‑grade wearable brace that targets knee discomfort and limited mobility, while Forge is aimed squarely at the consumer market for performance enhancement.
Ascend works by encasing the wearer’s leg in a soft, inflatable frame that actively supports the knee joint. Certified by the FDA, the device continuously reads the user’s movement patterns and adjusts pressure in real time, delivering pain relief, greater range of motion, and a confidence boost for activities that were previously out of reach.
Forge, on the other hand, is a lightweight add‑on that straps directly to the leg of firefighters, soldiers, police officers, or any outdoor enthusiast seeking a power boost. Its embedded control software supplies extra torque when needed and stays dormant otherwise. As Roam Robotics puts it, “Our mission is to improve human performance,” and early adopters are already reporting measurable gains in strength and endurance.
9 Artificial Heart
The FDA gave its seal of approval to Carmat’s artificial heart, AESON, in February 2021—marking the first fully artificial heart transplant in U.S. history. Designed for patients with biventricular heart failure, AESON temporarily takes over the pumping duties of a failing heart while the recipient awaits a donor organ.
What sets AESON apart is its ability to auto‑regulate. Sensors monitor the body’s physiological signals and instantly tweak blood‑flow rates to match demand. A biologically‑derived lining sourced from bovine tissue reduces the risk of clot formation, a common hurdle in conventional transplants. Power comes from a wearable battery pack that connects through the skin, and the device also provides real‑time blood‑pressure readouts for the user’s peace of mind.
8 Pacemaker
The modern pacemaker traces its roots back to the 1958 invention by Dr. William Chardack, Dr. Andrew Gage, and engineer Wilson Greatbatch. The first electronic version was implanted in 1960 and kept its patient alive for ten months—a true early‑stage cyborg milestone.
Since then, pacemakers have evolved into compact, reliable devices that millions rely on daily. They monitor heart rhythm and deliver tiny electrical impulses whenever an irregular beat is detected. Users must stay aware of electromagnetic sources—x‑rays, microwaves, and even certain cell‑phone frequencies—because interference can disrupt the device, potentially leading to severe complications like stroke or heart failure.
7 IQ Buds
Don’t let the name fool you—IQ Buds don’t boost your intelligence, but they do give your ears a serious upgrade. Co‑founder David Cannington of Australian firm Nuheara designed these earbuds to personalize hearing and drown out background noise. Launched in 2016, the original IQ Buds were followed by the IQ Buds Boost in 2018.
The earbuds connect via Bluetooth and let users select environment‑specific sound profiles such as “Plane,” “Street,” or “Restaurant,” each tuned to amplify desired audio while suppressing ambient chatter. Though they aren’t a full‑blown hearing aid, they function similarly, offering a flexible, affordable way to enhance auditory perception. The latest IQbuds2 MAX retails for $499 and can be purchased directly from Nuheara’s website.
6 Contact Lenses That Measure Glucose Levels
In 2014, Google filed a patent for a smart contact lens that could continuously monitor glucose levels—a potential game‑changer for diabetes management. The concept hinges on embedding a tiny sensor within the lens material, turning the eye into a non‑invasive glucose meter.
The lens works like a sandwich: the outer “bread” is the clear contact material, while the “meat” is a miniature sensor that contacts tear fluid through a microscopic aperture. The sensor relays glucose data to a paired device, eliminating the need for frequent finger‑pricks and offering diabetics a more convenient way to keep tabs on their blood sugar.
5 A Microchip That Can Store Data in Your Hands
Australian scientist Shanit Korporaal pioneered the bio‑hacker movement by implanting two NFC microchips into her hands in 2016. These passive chips replace the need for physical IDs, credit cards, and even passwords, allowing the wearer to swipe a hand‑wave to unlock doors, log into computers, or make purchases.
The technology quickly spread, with Swedish firm Epicenter beginning employee implants in 2015. Because the chips are passive, they don’t store new data on their own; instead, they transmit information to external readers, acting as a secure, low‑profile digital key.
4 Smart Bones
Swiss biotech company IBI unveiled SmartBone in 2012—a synthetic bone substitute that mimics the structure and performance of natural human bone. The material blends bovine mineral matrix with bio‑resorbable polymers and collagen fragments to achieve a composition that is both strong and porous.
According to IBI, SmartBone offers biocompatibility, high mechanical strength, adequate open porosity, and hydrophilicity—essential traits for integrating seamlessly with living tissue. Surgeons can employ this engineered bone in a variety of reconstructive procedures, effectively providing a living, breathing replacement for damaged skeletal tissue.
3 BrainGate
BrainGate originated from a team at Brown University, where researchers implanted a dense array of electrodes into the motor cortex of paralyzed patients. The system translates neural signals into commands that drive external devices, allowing users to regain limited voluntary control over their limbs.
One high‑profile case involved Bill Kochevar, a 53‑year‑old who had been paralyzed for eight years. After receiving over 30 cortical electrodes, he spent months training and eventually could feed himself, drink, and perform other daily tasks using only his thoughts—a vivid illustration of how BrainGate is pushing the frontier of neuro‑prosthetics, even if widespread clinical availability remains a work in progress.
2 Open Artificial Pancreas System
OpenAPS (Open Artificial Pancreas System) was created by Dana Lewis, a Type 1 diabetic who wanted a more affordable, customizable way to manage blood glucose. The DIY platform lets users build a closed‑loop system that automatically adjusts insulin delivery based on continuous glucose monitor (CGM) readings.
The open‑source solution communicates with an insulin pump to fetch recent dosing data, pulls real‑time glucose values from the CGM, and then issues commands to modify basal rates as needed. Because the system is community‑driven and free, anyone with the technical know‑how can assemble it, bringing sophisticated glucose control within reach of many diabetics worldwide.
1 Second Sight and Pixium Vision
When most people picture a cyborg, a laser‑eye often comes to mind. While that’s still sci‑fi, two companies have made real strides toward restoring vision. French firm Pixium Vision is developing the IRIS retinal implant, while U.S.‑based Second Sight introduced Argus II, the first fully bionic electromechanical eye.
Argus II pairs a miniature camera mounted on glasses with a retinal implant that converts visual data into electrical pulses. These pulses stimulate the remaining retinal cells, sending sight information to the brain. Over a decade of safety data and more than 350 users worldwide attest to its durability, although surgery and post‑operative rehabilitation are required. Nonetheless, the technology offers a tangible glimpse of what a bionic eye can achieve for those who have lost their sight.