RESEARCH STARTER

Cyborg (cybernetic organism)

A cyborg, short for cybernetic organism, is a being that integrates both biological and artificial components. The concept originated in the 1960s, when scientists coined the term while exploring ways to enhance human capabilities for space exploration. While often portrayed in popular culture as beings with superhuman abilities, real-life cyborgs primarily consist of individuals who use technology to overcome disabilities or improve their quality of life. Modern applications of cyborg technology include prosthetics, artificial organs, and retinal implants, with innovations like the LUKE Arm and mind-controlled bionic legs demonstrating significant advancements in medical technology.

The integration of cybernetics into human life has sparked discussions about the evolution of humanity and the ethical implications surrounding cyborg rights. Notable examples of cyborgs in fiction include characters from iconic franchises such as Star Trek, Doctor Who, and Star Wars, which have shaped public perception and imagination around the topic. As the use of cyborg technology becomes more prevalent, the legal rights and societal acceptance of individuals with such enhancements are emerging as important issues of discussion.

Full Article

A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial components. The term cyborg is short for cybernetic organism. Although frequently depicted as beings that have advanced abilities thanks to technology and are in some way physically or mentally superior to the average human, real cyborgs are simply people who rely on cybernetic technology to overcome a disability or constraint. Since the idea was first described in the 1960s, cyborgs have become a common fixture of popular culture in film, television, writing, and other media. In more recent years, cyborgs have started to become a reality, with a growing number of people around the world embracing cyborg technology in real-life applications. This includes the use of various prosthetics and implants that improve the quality of life or otherwise enhance one’s natural abilities. Some scientific theorists even view the rise of cyborgs and cybernetics as the next stage of human evolution.

Background

The term cyborg was first coined by scientists Manfred Clynes and Nathan Kline in a 1960 paper. The pair used the word in reference to a rat they fitted with a special osmotic pump designed to control the injection of various chemicals under its skin. At the time, Clynes and Kline were part of the American space program and were researching the possibility of biochemically, electronically, and physiologically modifying human astronauts so as to improve their ability to function in space. In fact, the scientific field of cybernetics, which is the study of communications and automatic control systems in both machines and living beings, was widely applied to space exploration and defense in the 1950s and 1960s. Most research in the field centered on concepts like human augmentation and bionics and was funded by the US military and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Among other things, the goal of this research was to determine the feasibility of using technological augmentation to improve the sensory abilities, intelligence, and decision-making of human pilots and astronauts in high-pressure situations like combat flying or space exploration.

As these ideas became more familiar to the public, cybernetics and cyborgs quickly came to capture people’s imagination. As a result, cybernetics and cyborgs soon emerged as a common theme in popular culture. For obvious reasons, this was particularly true in the realm of science fiction. A diverse array of cyborg characters has appeared in an equally wide range of science fiction works over the years. Some early examples include the villainous Daleks and Cybermen from Doctor Who and the evil Darth Vader of Star Wars fame. Other notable examples of cyborgs in science fiction include the Borg from Star Trek, Roy Batty from Blade Runner, and Steve Austin from The Six Million Dollar Man. Cyborgs have also appeared in popular culture outside of science fiction. Some cyborg characters from popular non–science fiction films and television shows include Dr. Julius No from the James Bond film Dr. No, Doctor Octopus from the Spider-Man franchise, and Inspector Gadget from the children’s television series of the same name.

Overview

Real-life cyborgs are much less fantastical than their fictional counterparts. Most true cyborg technologies are medical in nature. Medical cyborg technologies fall into one of two categories: restorative and enhancing. Restorative cyborg technologies serve either to replace lost limbs or organs or to restore lost functions. Enhancing cyborg technologies serves to improve a person’s physical or mental abilities without actually replacing any existing organic parts or functions. Some examples of the types of cyborg technologies commonly used in modern medicine include prosthetic limbs, artificial hearts, and retinal implants.

Cyborg technology also has military applications. Most military research into cyborg technology is focused on the development of cyborg animals designed to provide some sort of tactical advantage on the battlefield or in other situations. For example, one group of researchers unveiled the world’s first wireless flying-insect cyborg at a Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) conference in 2009. Researchers have also developed remote-controlled beetles. These and other cyborg insects could be used to carry out a wide array of tactical operations that would be difficult for human soldiers.

Human cyborgization has advanced considerably over time. Researchers have developed a whole host of cutting-edge cyborg innovations that have helped push the boundaries of what is possible when technology is integrated with the human body. Among these are a number of high-tech prosthetics that go well beyond simple plastic or metal replacements for lost limbs. The LUKE Arm, for example, is a sophisticated arm prosthetic that actually provides the user with a sense of touch. A specialized motor within the LUKE Arm generates feedback that approximately mimics the resistance one encounters when lifting objects. The Bebionic Hand is a similarly advanced prosthetic. The Bebionic Hand is equipped with an array of small, highly sensitive motors that allow for multiple movements so as to reproduce the movement of a real hand as accurately as possible. Software engineer Zac Vawter developed a breakthrough mind-controlled bionic leg in 2012. Vawter’s bionic leg utilizes special technology that translates brain signals into physical movement.

Some forms of cyborgization that restore nonphysical functions have also been pioneered. In 2002, a man named Jens Naumann, who lost his sight after a pair of separate accidents, underwent a clinical trial during which a special television camera system was interfaced with his brain. This unique device provided Naumann with a rudimentary form of vision that allowed him to see the shapes and outlines of things around him.

One of the first people to be formally called a cyborg was activist Neil Harbisson. Born without the ability to see color, Harbisson made the bold decision to attach an electronic antenna to the base of his skull that turns the frequency of light into vibrations his brain interprets as sound. Once installed in 2004, this antenna effectively allowed Harbisson to hear colors. Harbisson ran into legal problems when the British government subsequently took issue with the fact that the antenna was visible in his passport photo. Harbisson’s eventual victory in the ensuing court battle represented an important step forward for the emerging issue of cyborg rights. Cyborg: A Documentary, a film about Harbisson and his antenna, was released in the United States in 2024.

In 2020, twenty-four-year-old Manel de Aguas, a Barcelona artist and a founding member of the Trans-Species Society, designed fish fins and had them implanted into his skull. They enable him to detect humidity, temperature, and atmospheric pressure and send sounds to his brain through bone conduction. Researchers have developed microscopic wireless brain implants that can be delivered through the bloodstream without open-brain surgery and can target specific regions of the brain, converting neural signals directly into text or speech, enabling patients to communicate using only their thoughts. Advances in brain–computer interface implants have been successfully used in humans, allowing patients to control computers, type, and move cursors using only their thoughts. Brain–computer interfaces are increasingly integrating artificial intelligence, enabling smarter prosthetics, predictive movement, and basic cognitive assistance.

Scientists have even developed cyborg insects. According to a 2025 article in Nature Communications, researchers have created cyborg cockroaches with ultra-thin wires inserted into them. Sending an electrical current signals the roach to turn in the opposite direction or increase its speed. The researchers hoped to send groups of cyborg cockroaches into rubble on search and rescue missions. The cockroaches are more energy efficient than tiny robots because they do not need battery packs. They also do not need to be programmed to navigate difficult terrain.


Bibliography

Bai, Yang, et al. "Swarm Navigation of Cyborg-Insects in Unknown Obstructed Soft Terrain." Nature Communications, vol. 16, no. 221, 6 Jan. 2025, doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55197-8. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Beerse, Marit. "The Cyber Foundation Is Fighting for Cyborg Rights." Next Nature, 30 June 2022, nextnature.org/en/magazine/story/2022/rights-for-cyborgs. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Bradshaw, Peter. "Cyborg: A Documentary Review—Man Who 'Hears' Colours Is Leading Transhuman Age." The Guardian, 18 Sept. 2024, www.theguardian.com/film/2024/sep/18/cyborg-a-documentary-review-man-who-hears-colours-is-leading-transhuman-age. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Collins, Logan Thrasher. "CyberGaia: Earth as Cyborg." Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, vol. 11, no. 322, 26 Feb. 2024, doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-02822-y. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Llewellyn Smith, Caspar. “50 Years of Cyborgs.” Guardian, 2 Oct 2010, www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2010/oct/03/50-years-cyborgs. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Madrigal, Alexis C. “The Man Who First Said ‘Cyborg,’ 50 Years Later.” Atlantic, 30 Sept. 2010, www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/09/the-man-who-first-said-cyborg-50-years-later/63821. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Narcisse, Evan. “Iconic Bionics: 11 of the Best Cyborg Superhumans in Pop Culture.” Io9, 7 June 2018, io9.gizmodo.com/iconic-bionics-11-of-the-best-cyborg-superhumans-in-po-1826609120. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Neuralink, Neuralink Corp., neuralink.com/. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Sarkar, Saket, and Redwan Alqasemi. "Neural Interfaces for Robotics and Prosthetics: Current Trends." JSAN, vol. 14, no. 6, 27 Oct. 2025, article 105, doi:10.3390/jsan14060105. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Tangermann, Victor. “The Future Is Here: Six of Today’s Most Advanced, Real-Life Cyborgs.” Futurism, 12 Oct. 2017, futurism.com/six-of-todays-most-advanced-real-life-cyborgs. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Thompson, Steven John, editor. Androids, Cyborgs, and Robots in Contemporary Culture and Society. IGI Global, 2018.

Zewe, Adam. "New Therapeutic Brain Implants Could Defy the Need for Surgery." MIT News, 5 Nov. 2025, news.mit.edu/2025/new-therapeutic-brain-implants-defy-surgery-need-1105. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Full Article

A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial components. The term cyborg is short for cybernetic organism. Although frequently depicted as beings that have advanced abilities thanks to technology and are in some way physically or mentally superior to the average human, real cyborgs are simply people who rely on cybernetic technology to overcome a disability or constraint. Since the idea was first described in the 1960s, cyborgs have become a common fixture of popular culture in film, television, writing, and other media. In more recent years, cyborgs have started to become a reality, with a growing number of people around the world embracing cyborg technology in real-life applications. This includes the use of various prosthetics and implants that improve the quality of life or otherwise enhance one’s natural abilities. Some scientific theorists even view the rise of cyborgs and cybernetics as the next stage of human evolution.

Background

The term cyborg was first coined by scientists Manfred Clynes and Nathan Kline in a 1960 paper. The pair used the word in reference to a rat they fitted with a special osmotic pump designed to control the injection of various chemicals under its skin. At the time, Clynes and Kline were part of the American space program and were researching the possibility of biochemically, electronically, and physiologically modifying human astronauts so as to improve their ability to function in space. In fact, the scientific field of cybernetics, which is the study of communications and automatic control systems in both machines and living beings, was widely applied to space exploration and defense in the 1950s and 1960s. Most research in the field centered on concepts like human augmentation and bionics and was funded by the US military and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Among other things, the goal of this research was to determine the feasibility of using technological augmentation to improve the sensory abilities, intelligence, and decision-making of human pilots and astronauts in high-pressure situations like combat flying or space exploration.

As these ideas became more familiar to the public, cybernetics and cyborgs quickly came to capture people’s imagination. As a result, cybernetics and cyborgs soon emerged as a common theme in popular culture. For obvious reasons, this was particularly true in the realm of science fiction. A diverse array of cyborg characters has appeared in an equally wide range of science fiction works over the years. Some early examples include the villainous Daleks and Cybermen from Doctor Who and the evil Darth Vader of Star Wars fame. Other notable examples of cyborgs in science fiction include the Borg from Star Trek, Roy Batty from Blade Runner, and Steve Austin from The Six Million Dollar Man. Cyborgs have also appeared in popular culture outside of science fiction. Some cyborg characters from popular non–science fiction films and television shows include Dr. Julius No from the James Bond film Dr. No, Doctor Octopus from the Spider-Man franchise, and Inspector Gadget from the children’s television series of the same name.

Overview

Real-life cyborgs are much less fantastical than their fictional counterparts. Most true cyborg technologies are medical in nature. Medical cyborg technologies fall into one of two categories: restorative and enhancing. Restorative cyborg technologies serve either to replace lost limbs or organs or to restore lost functions. Enhancing cyborg technologies serves to improve a person’s physical or mental abilities without actually replacing any existing organic parts or functions. Some examples of the types of cyborg technologies commonly used in modern medicine include prosthetic limbs, artificial hearts, and retinal implants.

Cyborg technology also has military applications. Most military research into cyborg technology is focused on the development of cyborg animals designed to provide some sort of tactical advantage on the battlefield or in other situations. For example, one group of researchers unveiled the world’s first wireless flying-insect cyborg at a Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) conference in 2009. Researchers have also developed remote-controlled beetles. These and other cyborg insects could be used to carry out a wide array of tactical operations that would be difficult for human soldiers.

Human cyborgization has advanced considerably over time. Researchers have developed a whole host of cutting-edge cyborg innovations that have helped push the boundaries of what is possible when technology is integrated with the human body. Among these are a number of high-tech prosthetics that go well beyond simple plastic or metal replacements for lost limbs. The LUKE Arm, for example, is a sophisticated arm prosthetic that actually provides the user with a sense of touch. A specialized motor within the LUKE Arm generates feedback that approximately mimics the resistance one encounters when lifting objects. The Bebionic Hand is a similarly advanced prosthetic. The Bebionic Hand is equipped with an array of small, highly sensitive motors that allow for multiple movements so as to reproduce the movement of a real hand as accurately as possible. Software engineer Zac Vawter developed a breakthrough mind-controlled bionic leg in 2012. Vawter’s bionic leg utilizes special technology that translates brain signals into physical movement.

Some forms of cyborgization that restore nonphysical functions have also been pioneered. In 2002, a man named Jens Naumann, who lost his sight after a pair of separate accidents, underwent a clinical trial during which a special television camera system was interfaced with his brain. This unique device provided Naumann with a rudimentary form of vision that allowed him to see the shapes and outlines of things around him.

One of the first people to be formally called a cyborg was activist Neil Harbisson. Born without the ability to see color, Harbisson made the bold decision to attach an electronic antenna to the base of his skull that turns the frequency of light into vibrations his brain interprets as sound. Once installed in 2004, this antenna effectively allowed Harbisson to hear colors. Harbisson ran into legal problems when the British government subsequently took issue with the fact that the antenna was visible in his passport photo. Harbisson’s eventual victory in the ensuing court battle represented an important step forward for the emerging issue of cyborg rights. Cyborg: A Documentary, a film about Harbisson and his antenna, was released in the United States in 2024.

In 2020, twenty-four-year-old Manel de Aguas, a Barcelona artist and a founding member of the Trans-Species Society, designed fish fins and had them implanted into his skull. They enable him to detect humidity, temperature, and atmospheric pressure and send sounds to his brain through bone conduction. Researchers have developed microscopic wireless brain implants that can be delivered through the bloodstream without open-brain surgery and can target specific regions of the brain, converting neural signals directly into text or speech, enabling patients to communicate using only their thoughts. Advances in brain–computer interface implants have been successfully used in humans, allowing patients to control computers, type, and move cursors using only their thoughts. Brain–computer interfaces are increasingly integrating artificial intelligence, enabling smarter prosthetics, predictive movement, and basic cognitive assistance.

Scientists have even developed cyborg insects. According to a 2025 article in Nature Communications, researchers have created cyborg cockroaches with ultra-thin wires inserted into them. Sending an electrical current signals the roach to turn in the opposite direction or increase its speed. The researchers hoped to send groups of cyborg cockroaches into rubble on search and rescue missions. The cockroaches are more energy efficient than tiny robots because they do not need battery packs. They also do not need to be programmed to navigate difficult terrain.


Bibliography

Bai, Yang, et al. "Swarm Navigation of Cyborg-Insects in Unknown Obstructed Soft Terrain." Nature Communications, vol. 16, no. 221, 6 Jan. 2025, doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55197-8. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Beerse, Marit. "The Cyber Foundation Is Fighting for Cyborg Rights." Next Nature, 30 June 2022, nextnature.org/en/magazine/story/2022/rights-for-cyborgs. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Bradshaw, Peter. "Cyborg: A Documentary Review—Man Who 'Hears' Colours Is Leading Transhuman Age." The Guardian, 18 Sept. 2024, www.theguardian.com/film/2024/sep/18/cyborg-a-documentary-review-man-who-hears-colours-is-leading-transhuman-age. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Collins, Logan Thrasher. "CyberGaia: Earth as Cyborg." Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, vol. 11, no. 322, 26 Feb. 2024, doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-02822-y. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Llewellyn Smith, Caspar. “50 Years of Cyborgs.” Guardian, 2 Oct 2010, www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2010/oct/03/50-years-cyborgs. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Madrigal, Alexis C. “The Man Who First Said ‘Cyborg,’ 50 Years Later.” Atlantic, 30 Sept. 2010, www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/09/the-man-who-first-said-cyborg-50-years-later/63821. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Narcisse, Evan. “Iconic Bionics: 11 of the Best Cyborg Superhumans in Pop Culture.” Io9, 7 June 2018, io9.gizmodo.com/iconic-bionics-11-of-the-best-cyborg-superhumans-in-po-1826609120. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Neuralink, Neuralink Corp., neuralink.com/. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Sarkar, Saket, and Redwan Alqasemi. "Neural Interfaces for Robotics and Prosthetics: Current Trends." JSAN, vol. 14, no. 6, 27 Oct. 2025, article 105, doi:10.3390/jsan14060105. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Tangermann, Victor. “The Future Is Here: Six of Today’s Most Advanced, Real-Life Cyborgs.” Futurism, 12 Oct. 2017, futurism.com/six-of-todays-most-advanced-real-life-cyborgs. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Thompson, Steven John, editor. Androids, Cyborgs, and Robots in Contemporary Culture and Society. IGI Global, 2018.

Zewe, Adam. "New Therapeutic Brain Implants Could Defy the Need for Surgery." MIT News, 5 Nov. 2025, news.mit.edu/2025/new-therapeutic-brain-implants-defy-surgery-need-1105. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

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