bionics
Biology meets machinery
Bionics is the science of designing artificial systems modeled on biological ones—mechanical limbs that mimic natural movement, sensors inspired by animal vision.
The field bridges engineering and biology: researchers in bionics developed a prosthetic hand with sensory feedback.
In popular usage, bionic suggests superhuman enhancement: a bionic arm, the bionic man.
Manufactured replacement body part
- limbJointed bodily projection
- artificialMade, not natural
- handGrasping body part
- legAmbulatory limb
arm · foot · socket · amputee · replacement · mobility · assistive · rehabilitation
Organic-mechanical hybrid entity
- neural interfaceSystem connecting minds to machines
- implantDevice placed inside tissue
- chipSmall broken-off piece
- syntheticProduced artificially, not natural
transhumanism · enhancement · biohacking · wearable · human-machine
Integrated automation engineering
- biomechanicsScience of organism movement
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- actuatorsMovement-producing mechanisms
- sensorsDevices that detect input
feedback · control systems · signal processing · kinematics · dynamics · simulation · microelectronics · haptics
Increase in quality
- superhumanBeyond typical ability
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- boostUpward push or increase
- performanceCarrying out a task
strength · speed · endurance · sensory · cognitive · exosuit · powered · upgrade
Accepted by living tissue
- biopolymersPolymers produced by organisms
- nanomaterialsUltrasmall engineered matter
- titaniumElement twenty-two
- carbon fiberReinforced polymer composite
silicone · conductive · lightweight · durable · self-assembly
prosthesis
Manufactured replacement body part
- limbJointed bodily projection
- artificialMade, not natural
- handGrasping body part
leg · arm · foot · socket · amputee · replacement · mobility · assistive · rehabilitation · orthotic
cyborg
Organic-mechanical hybrid entity
- neural interfaceSystem connecting minds to machines
- implantDevice placed inside tissue
- chipSmall broken-off piece
synthetic · transhumanism · enhancement · biohacking · wearable · human-machine
mechatronics
Integrated automation engineering
- biomechanicsScience of organism movement
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- actuatorsMovement-producing mechanisms
sensors · feedback · control systems · signal processing · kinematics · dynamics · simulation · microelectronics · haptics · motion capture
enhancement
Increase in quality
- superhumanBeyond typical ability
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- boostUpward push or increase
performance · strength · speed · endurance · sensory · cognitive · exosuit · powered · upgrade · human enhancement
biocompatible
Accepted by living tissue
- biopolymersPolymers produced by organisms
- nanomaterialsUltrasmall engineered matter
- titaniumElement twenty-two
carbon fiber · silicone · conductive · lightweight · durable · self-assembly
biomimetics
Nature-inspired design field
burdock · sharkskin · kingfisher · termite · spiderweb · dragonfly · butterfly · mimic · bioinspiration · adhesion
- Biomimicrydragonfly wings, butterfly wing, structural color, honeycomb structures, honeycomb structure
- Frontier Techquantum computing, AI, nanotechnology, robotics, fusion energy
- medical technologypacemakers, pacemaker, defibrillator, ventilator, MRI technology
- superhumanssuperhumans, metahumans, superheroes, supervillains, mutants
bionicsunaugmented
Not added to
natural healing · holistic medicine · unenhanced · natural state · au naturel
- bionic armMotorized artificial upper limb
- bionic legMotorized artificial lower limb
- bionic limbsElectronic artificial appendages
- bionic handPowered artificial limb extremity
- bionic earElectronic hearing prosthesis
- bionic eyeElectronic device replacing sight