Augmented Humans
Melbourne is home to exciting new innovations combining medicine, design and technology. Many of these have the power to augment human abilities.
Facett hearing device: sound with style
Inspired by Museums Victoria’s Geosciences Collection, the displayed stylish and highly engineered hearing devices were launched in March 2018. They reflect a radical new approach in the design of medical devices which augment our sensory perception—challenging the idea of having to conceal.
Using focus group feedback as part of the iterative design process, this modular system allows users to change and replace modules at will, and to be proud of their beautiful cutting edge technology.
This display was put together with the help of Blamey Saunders hears and Leah Heiss.
Bionic eye: restoring sight
This amazing Australian invention uses electronics to return lost vision. One key component is a tiny platinum electrode array that is implanted into the eye, to stimulate eye’s light receptor cells. The rest of the optical pathway is healthy and works as it would normally, allowing users to see large shapes and flashes of light. Australian researchers, surgeons, designers, and patients have all contributed ideas to the Bionic Eye.
This display was put together with the help of Melbourne’s Bionics Institute.
Victoria's new state fossil emblem: Koolasuchus cleelandi
After 11,563 votes, the 125-million-year-old monster amphibian has been confirmed as Victoria’s fossil emblem.
Jurassic relict: a new family of Brittle Stars
Long-armed and bristling with teeth, this Brittle Star is a marine relict.
Resurrected: native Australian mouse back from extinction
Once lost, now found.