On Tue, 27 Nov 2018 01:58:16 +0000 (UTC), Ralph Barone
wrote:

Hell, Jeff, just get some strain gauges surgically inserted in your tibias,
and you're halfway to the universal power meter. Tie some piezoelectric
generators to your Achilles' tendon for power, add a bit of DSP and a
BlueTooth stack and you're cooking with gas! Maybe run a power lead up to
the chest to power the internal HRM for extra points.

The Bionic Bicyclist? I may already have some of that installed. I
recently had to have a CT scan to locate two big kidney boulders that
are currently trying to kill me. Among the medical terminology was
mention of the electrodes that the surgeon left attached to my heart
in 2003 after a triple heart bypass operation. All I need to do is
locate the wires, and I might be able to monitor my heart performance
and loading. Cyborgs-R-Us.

Among my many predictions that never happened, I had somehow decided
that wearable computing was going to be the next big thing. I don't
recall the exact year, but I'll guess about 2008. Computers had
become small and low power enough to be wearable. Like my mythical
fully instrumented bicycle, all that was needed was a way for all the
devices and sensors to communicate, and a safe way to power those that
need power. Never mind what the result looked like. The early
bicycles, automobiles, and airplanes were also rather odd looking.

So, I ran a few experiments, did some paper designs, tried to sell a
few ideas, but mostly waited for something to happen. Nothing
happened. Nobody wanted to wear a computer. The demise of Google
Glass and the luke warm reception of the various smar****ches largely
ended my optimism. When I tried to raise the "wired bicycle" concept
in rec.bicycles.tech, the general reception was dismal. When I tried
to minimize the involvement to just making measurements and data
logging, most of the comments were something like "we don't need no
stinkin numbers. Just go for a ride and try it. If it's any good,
I'll let you know".

The next logical step after wearable computing would have been
cybernetic attachments, such as the implants you describe. However,
without the aid of the intermediate step of wearable computers, it
will never happen.

Drivel: I just got out of the hospital after a failed laser
lithotripsy trying to remove a rather large kidney stone. We try
again in 3 weeks. After I recover, we do the stone on the other side.
I'm ok, no pain, but also no bicycle riding.

Bah Humbug (T'is the season).


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558