Technology creates robots to function like us however there seems to be a group of humans called Biohackers who makes enhancement to their bodies with implantable technology. This is like the other way around, humans functioning like robots. And the newest augmenting trend involves having LED lights under the skin.
As reported in Oddity Central, a group of three biohackers had their hands on a device called Northstar V1. This device, about the size of a small coin, is implanted under the skin of their hands. The chip is reported to be designed to emulate bioluminescence, the kind of light naturally produced by fireflies and a number of jelly fish. The device when activated by magnet, high definition LEDs will light up forming the shape of a star.
Northstar V1 is made up of a printed circuit board with five red Surface-Mounted-Device Light-Emitting Diodes (SMD LEDs). It becomes activated after 10 seconds whenever magnet is placed near the sensor. The device is powered by a 3 volt battery and coated in silicon.
Since operations like this break the Hippocratic Oath, most of the biohackers carry out research and perform them themselves. Others rely on professional body modifications artists like Jowan Osterlund. He recently implanted the Northstar V1 on the three biohacker enthusiasts at a recent Cyborg Fair in Dusseldorf, Germany.
He first shaved and disinfected the hands of the men. He then made a small incision in the skin of their hands, inserting the chip and sewing up the skin.
Tim Cannon was one of the men who got the Northstar V1 implanted. He also happens to be the founder of Grindhouse Wetwear, the Pittsburgh Company that designed the device. This is not the first time that he had something implanted to him. Two years ago, he had a device implanted about the size of a cigarette pack under the skin of his arm. The device called Circadia was designed to record data from his body and transfer data to any Android-powered mobile device.
"Many people who saw the lights were very excited. They have been waiting years for something like this," Canon said. "They asked for them to be made available. We obliged. So, yes, this version of Northstar simply lights up."
The Northstar V1 is limited to LED lighting however Grindhouse Wetwear is planning to upgrade its features allowing users to control other devices using gestures.
Do you think biohacking is cool? Or do you feel that it certainly violates human nature? Let us know by sharing your thoughts below.
