People Who Turned Themselves Into Robots

Alright, hold onto your circuits because we're diving into the realm where humans decided to take a detour into the future by turning themselves into robots. It's not just science fiction; it's the real-life tales of individuals who embraced technology to become something more than human. Buckle up for these five mind-blowing stories of self-transformation.

1. Neil Harbisson: The Cyborg With an Antenna Head

Meet Neil Harbisson, the living, breathing (or should we say, antennaed) embodiment of human-technology fusion. Born with achromatopsia, a condition that rendered him colorblind, Neil decided to augment his perception of the world in a way no one had before. His solution? An antenna implanted into his skull that allows him to "hear" colors. Yes, you read that right – an antenna in his skull. The device translates colors into different frequencies of sound, essentially turning Neil into a walking, talking color sensor. Red becomes a musical note, blue transforms into a different pitch, and suddenly, the world is a symphony of hues.

2. Moon Ribas: Feeling the Earth's Vibrations

Ever wished you could feel the heartbeat of the Earth? Well, Moon Ribas, a Catalan artist and cyborg activist, can do just that. Moon has seismic sensors implanted in her feet that allow her to perceive earthquakes around the world in real-time. When the ground trembles, Moon feels it as vibrations transmitted directly to her body. It's like having a built-in earthquake detection system. Moon sees herself as a transpecies – part human, part cyborg – and her seismic sense is her way of forging a deeper connection with the planet.

3. Kevin Warwick: The World's First Cyborg Professor

Kevin Warwick, a British engineer and professor, can rightfully claim the title of the world's first cyborg professor. In the late '90s, Warwick became a pioneer in the field of cybernetics by implanting a small RFID transmitter into his arm. This tiny chip allowed him to control doors, lights, heaters, and computers with a mere wave of his hand. But Kevin didn't stop there. In a subsequent experiment, he connected his nervous system to the internet, creating a direct link between his brain and a computer. This connection enabled him to control a robotic hand remotely.

4. Lepht Anonym: DIY Cyborg and Body Hacker

Lepht Anonym, a self-described biohacker, took the concept of human augmentation into her own hands – quite literally. This DIY cyborg from Scotland has performed a series of self-experiments, implanting various electronic devices and magnets under her skin. Why? To expand her sensory experience and challenge the limits of human perception. From sensing magnetic fields to experimenting with RFID implants, Lepht embraces a form of biohacking that blurs the lines between human and machine. She's not waiting for technology to catch up; she's actively shaping her own evolution.

5. Rich Lee: The Man With Vibrotactile Implants

Rich Lee, a body modification enthusiast and biohacker, decided that listening to music through headphones was too mainstream. So, he took it up a notch – or several notches. Rich implanted tiny magnets into his ears, allowing him to feel music through vibrations. Yes, you read that correctly – he can feel the bass and rhythm of the music pulsating directly in his head. Rich's vibrotactile implants turned him into a walking, talking speaker system. It's not just about hearing music; it's about physically experiencing it.