As shown above, a chip, light signals are translated by first camera, then implanted chip, into impulses the brain can understand. Whilst at present the quality of image produced is sufficient for a blind person to navigate their way through a building, in the future the technology should give enough clarity for recognition of individual faces.
Trials for the latest iteration of the "Argus" has just been given FDA approval, which if successful could see the device on the market two years from now, at a probable cost of around £15,000. If this price cannot be driven down, accusations will no doubt be levelled of exploiting the vulnerable, tempting them with snake oil (albeit functional snake oil), and so forth.
One target market will be the over 75s, of whom 15% suffer from the macular degeneration this device overcomes. With all the cynical takes on pension shortfalls and equity release in the press at the moment, one suspects that pitching the high ticket treatment to the elderly and generally short on cash may generate increased controversy.
Perhaps the uniquely appealing functionality - giving the gift of sight - will prove enough to overcome suspicisions, but will this elderly segment be keen to adopt cutting edge cybernetic technology? Our cash machine business has trouble encouraging this segment to use our ATMs, hardly a recent innovation!
Leading the charge to Main Street may be a big ask of those who are traditionally unwilling to adopt.
The BBC give a good summary at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4411591.stm, whilst inventor Second Sight offers greater detail, with little corporate spin, at http://www.2-sight.com/. The Telegraph also gives coverage at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/02/17/nsight17.xml, and was the source of the image above.
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