Augmenting the Human Entity Through Man/Machine Collaboration

Both humans and machines exhibit strengths and weaknesses that can be enhanced by merging the two separate entities. This research aims to provide a broader understanding of how closer interaction between these two entities can facilitate more optimal goal related performance through the use of artificial extension of the human body. Such extension may assist us in adapting to and manipulate our environments in a more effective way than any organism observed to day. To demonstrate this concept, the researchers have developed a simulation where a semi interactive virtual spider can be navigated through an environment that includes several obstacles and a virtual predator capable of killing the spider. The virtual spider in turn, can be navigated through the use of three different control systems that when combined optimises overall goal related performance. An onscreen button interface and a touch sensor facilitate human navigation of the spider, while a third control system is based on automatic navigation through the use of Classical AI. The last mentioned control system enables the spider to navigate and react to changes in its local environment with the benefits provided by machine intelligence. The results of this study indicate that machines should be allowed to disobey human control, to obtain optimal benefits of man machine collaboration. This research further indicates that the development of; Strong AI; sensor systems that engage all human senses; extra sensory input systems; physical remote manipulators; intelligent extension of the human body; and a tighter symbiosis between man and machine can support an upgrade of the human form.