Conceptions on division between man and machine are challenged by Prof Kevin Warwick, who is part robot, part human. Dick Ahlstrom reports
Man and machine join in a unique way when it comes to Prof Kevin Warwick, the world's first cyborg - part human, part robot. Electrodes implanted in his arm allowed him to control a wheelchair by thought alone, to navigate safely around objects while blindfolded, operate a mechanical hand by thinking about it and achieve a form of telepathy with his wife who wore a similar implant.
Warwick comes to Dublin later this month to deliver a thought-provoking Academy Times lecture on his experiments. Entitled, "I, Cyborg". This free public lecture is one of a series organised jointly by the Royal Irish Academy and The Irish Times, with sponsorship from DEPFA Bank plc.
Warwick's controversial experiments have challenged the public's perception about the divisions between man and machine. He readily became a cyborg to show the potential of this technology. Phones, computers and cars link us with external hardware to achieve a goal, but Warwick believes a much more direct link "could offer us so much more".
His earliest cyborg experiment in 1998 involved implanting a microchip in his upper left arm. Once read by a scanning system, it allowed a computer to monitor his movements, greet him at the door and switch off lights when he left.
"Just a small piece of silicon under the skin is all it would take for us to enjoy the freedom of no cards, passports or keys," he said in relation to such a development.
Two years ago he was in the news because of a far more sophisticated implant, this time a device that connected implanted electrodes directly with nerve tissue. It allowed him to operate a robotic arm and control a wheelchair using thought alone. The implant also enabled his own nervous system to respond to input from outside, for example sensors to help him move about a room safely despite being blindfolded.
Prof Warwick will talk about his experiments and describe where he believes this technology might take us. No one knows more about the cyborg state given his research.
He is professor of cybernetics at the University of Reading where he carries out research in artificial intelligence, robotics and cyborgs. Aside from publishing more than 400 research papers, he has featured three times in the Guinness Book of Records for his robotics and cyborg achievements. He has written a book, In the Mind of the Machine, which explores the possibility that machines can become more intelligent than humans.
The Academy Times lecture takes place in the Burke Theatre, Trinity College Dublin at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 25th. Tickets for this free event can be booked on the Internet via the academy's website www.ria.ie, by clicking the button for the lecture and following instructions. For those without Internet access, there are a limited number of tickets available by phoning the academy during office hours at 01-6762570. Tickets will be issued by post.
