Scientific American Frontiers Season 15 Episode 9

Ep 9. Cybersenses

  • TV-G
  • April 6, 2005
  • 25 min

In the 15th season of Scientific American Frontiers, episode 9, titled "Cybersenses," the host, Alan Alda, explores the world of electronic sensors that help people with disabilities to see, hear, and touch. This episode delves into the world of cybersenses, which are helping people to communicate, navigate, and connect in ways never before possible.

The episode opens with Alda introducing us to the idea of electronics that enable humans to tap into their senses in a new way. He talks about how humans are naturally endowed with five senses, but electronic sensors can enhance and even replace those senses to enable people to navigate the world around them. He further explains how this technology has revolutionized the way that people live and work.

The first segment of the show features a blind athlete who competes in cycling. We see how he uses an electronic sensor that helps him navigate the track even though he cannot see it. The sensor sends signals to his brain that allow him to perceive the distance, the turns, and the speed of the track. This technology has enabled him to compete at the highest level and win medals at the Paralympic Games.

In the next segment, Alda explores how electronic sensors have revolutionized the world of music. He goes to a music studio where a deaf musician is using an electronic sensor to feel the soundwaves of his music. The sensor sends signals to his skin that allow him to perceive the notes, rhythm, and melody of the music. This technology has enabled him to compose and perform music despite not being able to hear it.

In the third segment, Alda focuses on a company that is developing gloves that use electronic sensors to help people who are paralyzed to touch and feel. The gloves are designed to mimic the sense of touch by sending signals to the nerves and muscles in the hand. The gloves have helped patients to regain their ability to hold objects, feel textures, and even recognize shapes through touch.

The fourth segment of the show takes us to the world of gaming. We see how electronic sensors are being used in virtual reality games to enhance the gaming experience. Players wear a suit that has sensors embedded in it that allow them to feel the sensations of the game. For example, if the player gets shot in the game, they feel a vibration on the part of the suit where they were hit. This technology has made gaming more immersive and interactive.

In the final segment, Alda explores how electronic sensors are being used to enhance the senses of animals. We see how researchers are using electronic sensors to help blind dogs navigate their environment. The sensors are attached to the dog's collar and emit a frequency that the dog can hear, allowing them to navigate their surroundings. We also see how researchers are using sensors to enhance the sense of smell in rats, allowing them to detect landmines and other explosives.

In conclusion, the Cybersenses episode of Scientific American Frontiers shows us how electronic sensors are revolutionizing the way that humans and animals perceive the world around them. These technologies have enabled people with disabilities to compete in sports, compose and perform music, and regain their sense of touch. Moreover, these technologies have provided a new level of immersion and interaction to gaming and helped animals navigate their environment. The episode provides an informative and inspiring glimpse into a world of technological possibilities that enhance the human experience.

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Description
  • First Aired
    April 6, 2005
  • Content Rating
    TV-G
  • Runtime
    25 min
  • Language
    English