The Robert Spence TEDxTo session showed how the Canadian filmmaker immerses himself into the world of cyborg prosthetic innovations to learn more about the astonishing advances on the subject and to suggest that in the year 2027 people will consider chopping off a limb to have a more powerful one implanted.
Spence is an avid director whose work has been presented on networks such as CBC, Discovery, Space, Sky and Vision. He lost his right eye in an accident about six years ago, which led him to create one of the 50 best inventions of the year according to Time Magazine: a wireless video camera prosthetic eye. Sounds like a true science-fiction movie. Inspired by a futuristic cyborg character from the video game Deus Ex, Spence decided to travel around the globe to find how far off we are in cyborg prosthetics and biomechanical technology.
Would you chop off your arm to have a more powerful one implanted? This gallery presents some of the most technological advances on the subject. Although Spence believes this is only the beginning, it’s definitely worth checking out where we stand at present.
90 Cyborg Prosthetic Innovations
89
19 Amputation Innovations
From Amputee Models to Self-Amputations
88
49 Incredible Implants & Transplants
From a Full Face Transplant to Bionic Eyes
87
Bionic Contact Lenses
Real Holographic Displays for the Eye
86
85 Rad Robots
From Freestyling Bots to Motorcycle Riding Robots
85
Athletic Designer Prosthetics
The Adidas Symbiosis Provides More Organic Movement
84
Tasseled Sunglasses
Beyonce's Tinsel Shades
83
Alienesque Prosthetic Arms
Kaylene Kau Designs a Unique Limb for Handicapped Individuals
82
Bionic Eye Restores Sight to the Blind
81
From Amputee To Mermaid
A Tale Of A Tail
80
Futuristic Body Mods
Sci-Fi Suspension Play & Transplanted Body Parts
79
Eco Movie Cyborgs
Anchalee Saengtai Creates Incredible Life-Size Replicas of Autobots
78
14 Features Showing People as Robots
Cyborg Culture Goes From Sci-Fi to the Mainstream
77
Intelligent Off-Road Autos
Mercedes Benz Cyborg Sensation Vehicle is a Bit of a Mind-Reader
76
Steampunk Mask Fittings
The Techno Masks by Richard Symons are Freakishly Well-Made
75
Incredible CGI Cyborgs
“Terminator Salvation” Design Art Released
74
Robotic Exoskeleton to Aid the Elderly or Workers
73
Cyborg Translators
NEC Tele Scouter Computer Turns Text into a Retinal Display (UPDATE)
72
Cyborg Accessories for Men
Metal Couture by Manuel Albarran
71
Cyberpunk Humans
‘Iron Man' Photography Showcases Tyler Riggs
70
Stylish Artificial Limbs
Outfeet by Aviya Serfaty is a Fashionable Prosthetic Leg
69
Wearable Transportation
‘The Chariot' Makes You Look Like a Cyborg
68
26 Cyborg & Prosthetic Innovations
Tech-Savvy Enhancements to Mother Nature
67
Enhancing Arm Prosthetics
The 'METIS Bionic Prosthesis' Offers a 360-Degree Range of Motion
66
Thought Controlled Bionic Arm
65
High-Tech Prosthetics
Colin Matso's Design for Nike Enables the Disabled
64
Prosthetic Arms for Wounded Soldiers
Dean Kamen's Luke Arm Demo
63
Mesmerizing Matrix Muses
Diamante Murru Depicts Technologically-Enhanced Woman
62
16 Innovations for & from the Disabled
From Street Performers to High-Tech Prosthetics
61
Cyborg Chic
Dazed Digital Shows Outrageous Plastic Masks For ‘Man Machine' Edition
60
Prosthetic Arm Fashion
Huseklepp 'Immaculate' Design Makes Prosthetics Functionally Hip
59
DARPA-Inspired Cyborg Bugs
Dean Christ's Controversial Collection Casts Eye On Warfare
58
Biotechnological Breakthroughs
Popular Mechanics Lists 20 Incredible Biotech Discoveries of 2008
57
Prosthetic Paws
Oscar the Bionic Cat is the First Feline to Get Two False Legs
56
Android-Inspired Tights
The Darkhorse ‘Maria' Robot Leggings are for Aspiring Cyborgs
55
Bilateral Amputee Makes Controvercial Bid for Able-Bodied 2008 Olympics
54
High-Tech X-Finger Replaces Lost Digits
53
Bionic Hand Transplants
The Otto Bock 'MichelAngelo'
52
Cyborg Photography
Is The EyeCamera 4.1 With Wink and Shoot A Hoax?
51
Lifelike Bionic Hand
The Touch Bionics i-LIMB
50
3D-Printed Limbs
The Ecko Unltd Prosthetic Leg is Perfectly Functional
49
Prosthetic Phalanges
The Touch Bionic 'ProDigits' Offer Advanced Dexterity for the Disabled
48
Bionic Eye
Retina Replacement Prototype
47
Cyborg Mice
Mad Catz Introduces the Cyborg R.A.T. Mouse
46
Robot Guard
Samsung's Sentry Robot Kicks Ass
45
27 Prosthetic Innovations
From Replacement Limbs to Prosthetic Lungs
44
Prosthetics for the Poor
JaipurKnee Project's $20 Artificial Knees to Developing World
43
Bionic Touch Sensations
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Replicates Touch With Carbon Nanotubes
42
Cyborg Contact Lenses
Control Your Mouse with Your Eye Movements
41
Bionic Animal Innovation
Hi-Tech Surgery Provides Prosthetic Paw to Footless Pooch
40
37 Prosthetic Inspirations
From USB Replacement Fingers to Energy-Recycling Prosthetics
39
21 Terminator-Inspired Innovations
From Animated Movie Posters to Robotic Limb Auctions
38
Prosthetic Lungs
Respiratory Aids to Wear Around Your Waist
37
Cyborg Prosthetics for Humans
The Eye-Mounted Webcam
36
Amputee Fins
The Neptune Swimming Aid Will Make a Dolphin Out of You
35
Cyborg Athletes for Cell Phones
Beckham Goes 'Terminator' for the Motorola AURA
34
Cyborg Firefighter Armor
'PyroPack' Makes Firemen Look Like "RoboCop"
33
Lightning Cyborg Structures
The UPI-2M Biooctanic Building Betters Urban Cities
32
Bespoke Prosthetic Limbs
Scott Summit Offers Customized Options for Artificial Legs
31
Robotic Legs For Amputees
Iraqi Vet Goes Bionic Thanks to MIT
30
Energy-Recycling Prosthetics
Artificial Foot Makes Walking Easier for Amputees
29
Mechanical Cyborg Arms
Revolutionary Equipois Exoskelton Limb Makes Gun Shows Obsolete
28
Creepy Crawly Robots
The Kanibot Cyborg Vehicle Will Give You Technopohobia
27
Cellular Cyborgs
Motorola V600 Decepticon Transforms Mobile Phones Forever
26
Real-Life Bionic Eyes
Solar Powered Contact Lenses
25
Cyborg Clocks
The Tick Mark Wristwatch Tells Time With Red Light Indications
24
Pinching Prosthetics
Stephen Stum Simplifies the Prosthetic Arm for More Practical Uses
23
Eye-Mounted Videocameras
One-Eyed Filmmaker Robert Spence Starts 'Eyeborg Project'
22
Revolutionary Bionic Hands
Touch Bionics Unveil 'i-LIMB Pulse' Bluetooth-Accesorized Prosthesis
21
Bionic Legs
In the Future, the Rex Could Replace the Wheelchair
20
Cyborg Sea Creatures
The SHOAL Robotic Fish Helps Detect Pollution in Oceans
19
Camera Implants For Insects
Cyborg Spy Flies
18
Bio-Charging
Self-Healing Artificial Muscle Charges an iPhone
17
Bionic Eyes 2.0
Retinal Implants Go High-Def
16
Cyborg Pledge Collectors
The DON-8r Fundraising Robot is the New Sidewalk Canvasser
15
Bell-Shaped Butler Bots
RoboDynamics Luna Robot Has Been Engineered to Serve the Masses
14
Realistic Bionic Hands
The Bebionic Hand Looks Amazingly Real and Responsive
13
Cyborg Cover Shots
Chris Milk Shoots Kanye West Into the Future for Complex
12
Glowing Eyes
The Eyeborg Project Plunks Lights Over Top of Your Peepers
11
Insectified Cyborg Scouts
ISOPOD Robot Watcher May Become Man's New Best Friend
10
Construction Cyborgs
Kaputt.R Demolition Robot is a Destructive Demon
9
Senior Cyborgs
Douglas Kalberg Gives Us a Glimpse into the Future
8
Microcontrolled Insects
Remote Controlled Beatles Are Part Living, Part Robot.
7
Prosthetic Ice Axes
Phil Myers' Axe-Hands are Made Specially for Handicapped Mountaineers
6
Cyborg Sprinters
This Bionic Leg Mimics its Organic Counterpart Perfectly
5
Cyborg Boots
Michigan Engineers Take Us One Step Closer to Bionic Feet
4
Therapeutic Tech Walkers
The eLEGS Exoskeleton is a Medical Rehabilitation Device
3
Wide-View Night Vision Goggles
The SA Photonics High-Resolution Cyborg Helmet is for the Military
2
Social Media Cyborgs
Joseph Tame Plans to Broadcast his Tokyo Marathon Run via an iRig
1
Bionic Noses
Sensational Sniffer Fights Crime, Cancer and Terrorism
Related Ideas
AI-Powered Bedside Massage Robots
The 'Phill' Massager Robot Allows for Spa Treatments from Home
AI-Generated Motorbike Helmets
Coldstar Art Designs a New Range of Futuristic Helmets
Smart Safety Helmets
SmartHat is the Construction Wearable of the Future
Malleable Wearable Smartphones
The Motorola Adaptive Display Concept Bends to Sit on the Wrist
Industrial Next-Gen Console Concepts
This PlayStation 6 Console Concept Has Cyberpunk Inspiration
AI-Powered Architectural Footwear
Str4ngeThing Envisions a Set of Renaissance Architecture Shoes
Sci-Fi Mecha Design Headphones
These Conceptual Gundam Headphones by Kostas Dakanalis are Flexible
Productivity-Focused Smart Glasses
The ASUS AirVision M1 Has Dual 1080p Micro OLED Displays
Wellness Bone Conduction Wearables
The 'Era Sync' Wearable Device by Luca Persico is Futuristic
Robotic Five-Camera Lawnmowers
The AIRSEEKERS TRON AI Robotic Lawn Mower is Efficient
Multifunctional Power Bank Concepts
Abeer Mahadane Designs the Audio1 Concept Inspired by Braun
AI-Generated Retrofuturistic Objects
Vadim Sadovski Uses Midjourney AI for This Series
Next-Gen Humanoid Robots
The Tesla Optimus Gen 2 Robot Can Delicately Manipulate Objects
Generative AI-Powered Hand-Held Cameras
Kyle Goodrich's AI-Camera is Ground-Breaking
Autonomous High-Profile Combat Bikes
The Conceptual 'Motorcycle Drone' By Fang E is Armored
Electronic Waste-Made Mechanic Watches
NanoRobotGeek Developed a DIY Apple Watch Out of E-Waste
AI-Fueled Smartwatch Concepts
Rabbit Joins Teenage Engineering on the R1 Smartwatch Design
Hybrid Professional Laptop Accessories
The Conceptual 'SnapFIT' by Riccardo Bosisio is Four-in-One
Emergency Shelter Robot Companions
The 'POWER HUG' Robot Concept Offers Warmth and Comfort
AI-Powered Healthcare Pods
CarePods are the World's First Artificial Intelligence Doctor's Offices
Wearable Robotic Limb Systems
The JIZAI ARMS Robotic Limb System Has Up to Six Arms
Social-Centric Wireless Earbud Concepts
Kusi Boateng-Arthur Introduces the Social Earbud Concept
Urban Mobility Chairs
Honda Robotics is Testing a Powered Chair Paired with VR Headset Devices
Upright Wheelchair Designs
The CHRONUS Robotics 'Kim-e' Wheelchair Elevates the Rider to Eye Level
Spatial Audio Streaming Interfaces
The Apple Vision Pro Spotify UI by Kyuna Petrova is Immersive
Biodegradable Smart Glasses Frames
Morrama's Issé Design is a Forward-Looking Concept
Autofocus-Providing Eyewear
This High-Tech Eyewear Boosts Focus On Objects In Your Central View
AI-Powered Boxing Bags
The Bhout Bag Fuses Elements of Fitness and Gaming
Advanced Video Call Prototypes
Logitech Unveils 'Pepper's Ghost' Booths for Immersive Video Calls
Fully Autonomous AI Masseurs
Robosculptor is a System for Aesthetic Body Contouring
All-Terrain AI Exoskeletons
The Hypershell GoX and ProX Will Be Unveiled at CES 2024
Storytelling Robotic Runways
Coperni FW23 Had Models Share the Runway with Boston Dynamics Dogs
AI-Enabled Walking Robots
Tesla's Optimus Robot is Poised to Redefine the Boundaries of AI
AI-Enabled Smart Glasses Demonstrations
Vuzix® Will Lead Interactive Demonstrations at CES 2024
Illuminated eSports Earbuds
The Conceptual Cyberpunk Earbuds by Tim Chen are Gaming-Ready
Biotech-Informed Surfboard Designs
The BATTBOARD Electric Surfboard is Ready for the Water
Wearable Gesture-Based Mouses
The 'Clip Mouse' is Portable, Lightweight and Works on Any Surface
Expressive Home Assistance Robots
The Conceptual Oppo Xiaobu Has a Modular Hand for Helping
LiDAR-Powered Visual Impairment Headsets
.lumen Glasses Guide Wearers with Haptic Feedback
Wearable Electric Three-Wheelers
The 'Exo-Line' Makes Riders Adopt a Thrilling Headfirst Position
High-Performance Motorcycle-Like eBikes
The 'Xyber' from Segway is a Fast, High-Torque eBike
AI-Powered Humanoid Robots
The Figure 01 Can Walk and Perform Basic Tasks On its Own
Futuristic Bladeless Planes
Jetopetra Creates Planes That are Able to Fly Without Propellers
Futuristic Corporate Fashion Shows
Hugo Boss FW 23 Featured Sophia the Robot
Open-Source AI Eyewear
The Frame Glasses by Brilliant Labs Boast a MicroLED Display
Avatar Motion-Capture Systems
Sony's Mocopi System is Expanding to the American Market
Proactively Challenging Boxing Trainers
The High-Tech 'Boxing Buddy' Can Punch You Back
Automated Neck Massage Wearables
The MOZA AI RoboHands Delivers a 4D Massage from Anywhere
AI-Enabled Brain Implants
Northwell Health's Team Develops a Brain Implant Technology
AI-Powered Music Systems
The 'SPIN' AI Music Synthesizer by Arvind Sanjeev is Customizable
Wireless Professional Meeting Speakerphones
The beyerdynamic Space Max Optimizes Audio Calls
Strabismus-Correcting Headsets
The Conceptual 'SWP' Headset by Haechan Ryu is Noninvasive
AI CEO Humanoids
Dictador's MIKA Made an Appearance at the Salz21 Conference
Senior-Supporting Exoskeletons
This Robotic Exoskeleton Can Help Augment Elderly Care Services
Neurodegenerative Disease-Detecting Earbuds
These High-Tech Earbuds Can Spot Signs Of Alzheimer's
Connected Monitoring Bandages
This Smart Wound Bandage Prototype Monitors for Infection
Solar-Powered Charging Robots
The Conceptual Solar Mars Bot Provides Power to Charge Up Solutions
Contemporary Smartphone Exhibitions
Ester Bruzkus Architekten Designs 'The World in My Hand'
Dual-Display Smartphone Concepts
The Conceptual iPhone Vision by Antonio De Rosa is Robust
Atomic-Science Research Facilities
Henning Larsen and Cobe Reveal European Spallation Source
Affordable 3D-Printed Prosthetics
The 'Lunet' Mechanical Prosthetic by David Edquilang is Advanced
60s-Inspired Electric Superbikes
Robert Turner Designs a New Electric Superbike Concept
Bone-Conduction Bluetooth Headsets
These Headphones Are Ideal For Both Business & Lifestyle Use
AI-Enabled Smart Eyewear
Lyte 2.0 ChatGPT-Enabled Smart Eyewear Enhances Daily Life
Hearing Aid Wearable Glasses
The Bruckhoff Spectacle Aids are a Non-Intrusive Hearing Enhancer
Soft Brain-Computer Interface Concepts
Researchers at MIT and Harvard Develop a Hydrogel Scaffold
Transparent Cyberpunk MP3 Players
'The DEVICE' by Alex Casabò Has an Ultra-Industrial Design
DIY AR-Functioned Monocle Clip-Ons
Brilliant Labs Unveils a New Augmented Reality Monocle
AI-Powered Wearables
The Ai Pin Debuted at the Coperni 2024 Spring/Summer Show
Service Robot Chair Concept
Yunsoo Choi Designs an Interactive Chair Robot Concept
Mixed-Reality Shopping Apps
StockX Launched an Immersive Way to Shop with the Apple Vision Pro
Agile Underwater Exploration Robots
The Youcan Robotics 'OceanEye' Relays Footage to Smartphones
Motion-Matching Fitness Technologies
Wondercise is Bringing Its Live Motion Matching to FIBO 2023
VR Physiotherapy Tools
A Team of UniSA Researchers Created Superhero Therapy for Pain Management
Spatial OS AR Headsets
The Apple Vision Pro Headset Runs the visionOS Operating System
Biometric Smart Guns
This Gun Uses Sensors to Prevent Unauthorized Users From Firing It
VR Electric Mobility Wheelchairs
Honda Presents the Extended Reality UNI-ONE Wheelchair
Augmented Reality Projection Laptops
Sightful Presents Spacetop, a Screenless Projecting Laptop
AI-Powered Fully Electric Motorcycles
The Verge Motorcycles TS Ultra was Presented at CES
AI-Powered Ergonomic Workplace Vests
The German Bionic Smart SafetyVest Monitors the Wearer
Musculoskeletal Robot Dogs
Hengzhi Future Team Presents a More Advanced Robot Dog Design
Wearable Robotic Medical Technology
Researchers Built a Technology That Helps People with ALS
Biomimicry Bird-Like Drones
The Bionic Bird X-Fly Drone Soars, Dives and Flutters Through the Air
Spatial Content Creation Systems
Sony Corporation Boasts an Xr Head-mounted Display & Controllers
Gesture-Controlled Streaming Cameras
The OBSBOT Tail Air Harnesses AI for Seamless Recording
Ultra-Flexible Bipedal Robots
The Unitree H1 Has Joints Throughout for Maximum Flexibility
Modular Eyeglasses
Lance Glasses Announced the 'Lance X' Feature-Packed Glasses
Freestyle Maker CNC Machines
The 'Cubiio X' Portable CNC Robot Enables Projects From Anywhere
Spatial Computing Controllers
The Apple Vision Joystick Pro Max by Alex Casabò Elevates Gaming
Stroke Recovery Wearable Systems
This System Uses a Earpiece & Watch to Help Prompt Mobility
Wooden Retro-Style VR Headsets
The Stereoscopic Display System is Powered by a Raspberry Pi
Mechanical Posterior Support Wearables
The Conceptual 'WIBS' Wearable Back Support is Adjustable
Shapeshifting Game Controllers
The RODO Game Controller by Duhan Oben Kayman is a Unique Concept
Compartmentalized Robotic Delivery Vehicles
The 'Buzzy Bot' by Marko Lukovic Has a Geometric Form
Future-Facing Charging Concepts
These Wireless Charger Concepts Imagine a True Wire-Free Future
Wireless Tongue-Operated Trackpads
Augmental Unveils its New Product Dubbed MouthPad^
Meeting-Enhanced 3D Holograms
The Holobox by HoloConnects Creates a 3D Scaled Visual
Immersive Virtual Television Experiences
Television for Apple Vision Shapes the Future of TV
AI-Powered Wheeled Robots
LG Previews a Smart Robot on Wheels for Home Monitoring Purposes
Bendable Battery Designs
Anthro Energy's Flexible Battery Was Showcased at the Beacon Exhibition
Custom Virtual Reality Accessories
Apple's Vision Pro Gets a New Developer Strap
AI-Powered 3D-Converting Tablets
ZTE's Latest Tablet Uses AI to Convert Any 2D Content into 3D
360 Photo Booths
PhotoboothTO Introduces the Future of Event Photography in Canada
Portable Holographic Displays
Looking Glass Go Shares Memories as 3D Holograms, Not Photos
Robot-Specific 3D Vision Technology
Orbbec Unveils the Gemini 2 XL in a Bid to Offer Affordability
Arm-Rehabilitating Robotic Wearables
Harmonic Bionics Unveils Robotic Rehabilitation System
Bio-Inspired Transforming Robots
The 'M4' Robot is Capable Of Six Different Types Of Movements
Revolutionary Hearing Aids
JIUYEE Launches the Real Pro Bluetooth Intelligent Hearing Aids
Jellyfish-Inspired Interactive Robots
Adonis Christodoulou Designs the Jellyfish Robot
5G-Enabled e-Bikes
Orbic's 5G e-Bike Integrates 5G Connectivity and AI Tech
Multidisciplinary Interactive Robots
Igor Jankovic Creates the Sipro Intelligent Social Robot
Hubless Electric Motorcycles
Verge Motorcycles Brought Its Updated Verge TS Ultra to CES 2024
Conversation-Muting Audio Robots
These Miniature Robots Can Function As Microphone Arrays
Augmented Helicopter Helmet Displays
This Display Gives Helicopter Pilots a Tactical Advantage
Flying Umbrella Prototypes
This Hands-Free Device Hovers Above You to Protect From the Rain
Blood Clot-Relieving Millirobots
These Experimental Robots are Designed to Navigate Blood Vessels
AI Board Game Robots
SenseTime's AI-Powered Robot Helps Players Strategize
Scar Tissue-Evading Implants
This Medical Implant Alters Drug Delivery to Curb Scar Tissue Impact
Bio-Inspired Guard Dog Robots
Xiaomi Introduces the Robotic Cyberdog 2 with a Friendly Look
Neural Network Robotic Lawnmowers
The WORX Landroid VISION L1600 Has a Full HD Camera
Robotic Breast Examinations
University of Bristol is Experimenting with a Robot Breast Examiner
Facial Movement Game Controllers
Google's New GameFace Allows Users to Control with their Faces
Advanced Body-Worn Cameras
Axon Launches New Body Camera with Added Features
Socially Adept Gaming Robots
This Robot Offers Companionship & Conversation to Lonely Gamers
Spinal Graft-Assisting Systems
Kleiner Device Labs Receives a Patent for the KG2 Surge Flow System
Spiky Inflatable Sculptures
Steve Messam Presents His Sculptures During Clerkenwell Design Week
Mechanized Titanium Hand Timepieces
F.P. Journe Launch the Calibre 1300.3 with Titanium Human Hand
Four-Armed Surgical Robots
This Robot Lets Surgeons Use Their Arms & Feet to Control Procedures
Semi-Outdoor Foldable Wheelchairs
Robooter Brought Mobility Innovations Like X40 to CES 2024
X-Ray Vision Headsets
MIT Scientists are Working on a New X-AR Headset to See Through Objects
Cybertruck-Inspired Electric Scooters
The New Infinite Machine P1 Bike is Defined by Geometry
Multidirectional Miniature Robots
This Robotic Bee Can Infiltrate Highly Compact Spaces
India-Exclusive Tech Accessories
pTron Launches a New Smartwatch and Earbuds Combination
Classes-Free AI-Powered Tablets
The Pad 3D II by Nubia is Showcased at MWC This Year
Holographic Video Game Characters
Proto Uses ProtoHologram to Create a Digital Mario
Mixed-Reality Headgear Accessories
CASETiFY Presents a Look at the Bounce Vision Accessories
Human Hair-Made Prosthetic Nipples
BioProsthesis Caters to Breast Cancer Survivors
Independently-Running Robotic Dogs
This Quadruped Robot Can Run Persistently Once Launched
Facial-Tracking Sonar Glasses
Ruidong Zhang Works on a New Technology Dubbed the EchoSpeech
Battery-Powered Spa Cleaners
Spabot is a New Convenient Spa-Cleaning Robot System