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Implants & Neural Technologies
Neural Implant
One of the most important technologies to develop in the Prodigal
Void, essentially defining the barrier between what we think of as
Archaic and Antiquity, was the Neural Implant and Interface,
often colloquially referred to as "Fly-by-Neuron". Through
nanotechnology, a microscopically thin transmitter/processor network
is constructed inside the users head and/or shoulder. Some models build
outside the skull, some inside, and a few, for the hardcore user,
build themselves in and around the users brain, augmenting and replacing
pieces of the host. The host sends and receives communication,
processing, and other information directly between the host brain
and external biocomputer networks. The host receives a Heads Up
Display fed directly to their visual cortex, receiving IntelligNet
feeds, information from sensors mounted on the host, and
broadcasting control information to everything from cash registers
to personal transportation to the weapons systems on starships.
Most modern starships are controlled through
the most advanced and progressive of neural implants. The
main broadcast/receiver and processors are mounted within a
sparsely appointed "bridge" in the center of the ship. In normal
operation of the ship, the entire crew is linked to each other and
the resources of the ship. Each crewmember has redundant duties
that reinforce and reassure the operations of the others, all at
the speed of thought. Crew can pass back and force not just crude
messages but also emotional impulses and sights and sensations
which creates a very tight and interactive environment. The crew
receives information from the ship and its sensor networks
directly to the sensory sections of their brains. Essentially,
they see what the ship sees, hear what the ship hears, and smell
what the ship smells. Conversely, the crew is able to maneuver the
ship with a thought, controlling its systems as easily as moving
their own arms, within their control protocols, of course.
Neuralinks have significant and
varied impact on traditional positions on starships and in society in
general.
Gunners on starships can sense, functionally see and hear and anticipate
the presence of targets around their ship. They can think out, in their
mind, complex firing patterns and conditional responses to changing
situations which biocomputers can prioritize and respond to, adjusting
targeting priorities, weapons configurations, and lead based on the gunners'
subconscious opinions of target priorities and shot qualities.
A large amount of equipment,
particularly within the Prodigal
Void, is going to neural control. Most vehicles, many buildings,
and a lot of consumer appliances are controlled directly by thought
broadcast through the IntelligNet.
General use in population has changed society, with the greatest
adoption and impact in the Prodigal Void. Neuralinks can open doors
to buildings, keep unwanted people out of personal vehicles, and provide
immediate access to personal entertainment and information through the IntelligNet. Security is high and few reports have been made of
individuals being able to hack into others' neural interface. Illegal
and military mods have been reported in the hands of civilians, though
details are sketchy due to the nature of the perpetrators.
For the ultra-rich, cloned or biomechanical bodies can be prepared and
the users' "brainstate" transferred on the physical death of their body.
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