SoylentNews covers cyborg/transhumanist stories from time to time. This particular concept, of a sensor that tells you true magnetic north, has arisen before. The story is a promo for a crowd-funded project, but it's interesting to check in on where the thinking on tech-based body augmentation is headed:
North Sense is a miniature Artificial Sense, vibrating each time it faces the Magnetic North. Your North Sense will not depend on an internet connection and will come with a dedicated app so you can make personal adjustments. It's a standalone artificial sensory organ, coated in the highest quality body-compatible materials.
Fitting North Sense to the body is not complicated and requires the installment of two dedicated surface-to-surface barbells. Its small size and unique design makes sure North Sense will co-exist comfortably with your body.
In a few months, you'll be able to experience new memories, maps and life moments, created and influenced by a new spiritual layer—your North Sense.
The sensor itself is external, but anchored to you by implantable metal posts--nothing more extreme than the piercings people already get. You have to recharge it, though.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 29 2016, @12:31AM
pfft. i think i'll stick with my matrix brand body augmentation thankyou. at least it generates its own power
(Score: 2) by butthurt on Sunday May 29 2016, @12:33AM
There's an app for Windows phones.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/store/apps/Magnetic-compass/9WZDNCRDHHQR [microsoft.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 29 2016, @12:39AM
And much cheaper and simpler.
Small buzzer attached to an ankle strap with suitable magnetic sensor and control software.
This device is more expensive jewelry than extra sense.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 29 2016, @04:07AM
Cheaper still -- learn how the Earth moves relative to the sun and you will always know which way is North (assuming you can see the sun or guess it's approximate position...)
I'm always amazed when I meet people that haven't figured this out, or been taught it along the way.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Francis on Sunday May 29 2016, @04:11PM
You must live some place that's flat and where streets are lined on a reliable NS, EW grid. Also, clouds tend to make it rather hard to figure out which direction the sun is as the lighting gets rather even.
That's not to say that there aren't large parts of the world where that's relevant, but often times it's not sufficient.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Sunday May 29 2016, @01:05AM
I'm not impressed. Plenty of people have implanted magnets under their skin which vibrate in the presence of electromagnetic fields. The brain can adapt to make it a "sixth" "sense".
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by Gravis on Sunday May 29 2016, @01:54AM
From what I can tell, the difference is that this gives you the ability to sense the electromagnetic field of the Earth itself. Sadly, they appear to be using standard PCB technology and no energy harvesting. So while it will it may be functional, it won't really be "part of you."
(Score: 1) by Francis on Sunday May 29 2016, @04:20PM
It looks like there's some sort of implant involved that this connects to, but the site is rather vague on that detail.
I definitely won't be preordering one of these in part due to the complete lack of details about anything, especially safety.
(Score: 2) by Bogsnoticus on Sunday May 29 2016, @01:24AM
When someone asks me which way is north, I simlpy point up.
Genius by birth. Evil by choice.
(Score: 3, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 29 2016, @01:34AM
Down would be a better answer, assuming you're in Australia.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 29 2016, @09:03AM
yes, but being australian, down IS up.
(Score: 2) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Sunday May 29 2016, @04:19AM
it's very uncommon that I don't. I never need maps or GPSes, I just about always fine my way by heading in the general direction of my destination.
I don't know how I developed this, as I was unable to pass Orienteering Merit Badge in the Boy Scouts.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 1) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Sunday May 29 2016, @04:50AM
I usually know where north is, but I can get turned around by underground stairwells. I suspect the body augmentation would also have trouble in underground stairwells due to the rebar.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 29 2016, @09:12AM
to be honest, it's kind of stupid to want a body embedded device that points to the magnetic north.
first of all, there are already a gazillion regular devices with the same functionality which are very cheap and they also have the other cardinal points on them.
secondly, if you know the time of day and you can see the sun you can easily get a rough idea of where north is.
thirdly, if you are in a snowstorm in the mountains (one of the few conditions when such a device would actually help), and you are not carrying an actual magnetic compass that DOES NOT need batteries, you are an idiot. mostly because in that scenario you need much more detail than a buzz. plus, a magnetic compass can be used by the friend who is carrying your uncounscious body after a fall.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by dime on Sunday May 29 2016, @06:30AM
I recall reading about someone doing something like this (a lot older tech).
One of the things that they mentioned was that when they removed it, they suffered a huge loss mentally. And that for a very long time, they constantly had to battle the feeling of being lost. I took away the lesson that if you choose to gain a sense for your brain to learn and adapt to, you should be sure it's one that you will be sure you want to (and are able to) keep permanently.
(Score: 2) by kanweg on Sunday May 29 2016, @07:19AM
An alternative is just up on IndieGoGo
Not cheap, but it does not require body modification and has more features (navigation and bee line)
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/feelspace-follow-your-gut-feeling--3#/ [indiegogo.com]
Compared to the North Paw, easily fits under your clothes.
Bert
(Score: 1) by anubi on Sunday May 29 2016, @09:53AM
About twenty years ago, I was working on some "sonobuoy" technology. I wired up a little puck which would emit an audio pitch on the north-south magnetometer output. I thought maybe blind people could use them.
Idea was to press button, listen to pitch, and you could tell North by rotating the puck for the highest pitch, then the rib on the edge of the puck would be pointing toward magnetic North. Made in a plastic Skoal tobacco container.
Project went nowhere.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 29 2016, @10:14AM
BeaverScan TM active:
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-oh that one's a real redhead...