Conclusions and Future Works - Artificial Human Sensors: Science and Applications - page 190

This scenario may in some sense be frightening, and may in the future make
us dependent on complementary artificial systems. However, this fact can on
the other hand create opportunities to establish an understanding and awareness
of the need to develop our sensing abilities. The understanding of the process
of degradation, in the long term as during a life time seems to be of essential
knowledge.
Indeed, the sensor abilities that can improve the understanding of a dynamic
world will perform a vital function to increase human performance, namely in pro-
viding a development that most likely will change the human view of an increased
added capacity. The individual solutions that increase, adapt or adjust comple-
mentary human abilities today exist in a range of areas. The era of a wooden
leg, plastic hand or a glass eye have since some time now been substituted by
bio-electronic solutions and high-tech materials. Nowadays, the field of research
concentrates on completely new developments. Medical implants, tissue culture
outside the body, bio-sensors and bio-materials that imitate the material of na-
ture and is adapted by the body. Further, the direction of the develoment may
be to examine into the field of bio-electronics and cells that are capable of restor-
ing the internal human function of the damaged limb, organ or other parts of the
body.
A future concept of science has emerged, to establish a market for designing
artificial sensors that mimic the human perceptual sensing. For example, the elec-
tronic tongue, nose, ear and eye functions have been successful systems in comple-
menting human ability. Also the ongoing attempts to design artificial skin that is
able to sense from a certain proximity and perceive tactile information, will most
likely create future improved qualities in prothesis design. The new generation of
prosthesis have already started to use the knowledge gained from robotic science
to make a complete set of artificial spare parts that in the long run is foreseen to be
an extension of possibilities that at the end will have an impact when improving
the human capability.
An illustrative example of a symbiotic device, is the completely new direction
and upcoming trend of using jumping stilts as shown in Fig. 8.1. This new mobile
performance provides humans with extraordinary abilities when it acts as an ex-
tension of the legs. The power of the jumping stilts can result in increased human
abilities. The individual increase of performance is remarkable, to run at speeds
of up to 35km/h, jump up to 2 metres high and take giant 3 metre strides. This
performance is an example of a new trendy human symbiotic ability that would
surely make an impression as a new possible transportation tool. The device will
provide a new solution of an old habit, to make an extensive use of our own legs
when transporting ourself, for example to or from work or simply taking a tour in
the park.
This scenario will raise the question in the long run whether the replacement
of spare parts, including additional sensor devices, will affect human evolution.
How are humans relating to the development of intelligent perceptual increased
devices that will be based upon external performance. When do we define natural