Cognition Augmentation Devices (CADs)
Brain-computer interfaces that enhance cognitive ability.
Components
A CAD’s core engine consists of three technologies:
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Mind Machine Interface (MMI) — Hardware attached to the brain with read/write capabilities and low-level routing software
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Biologically Compatible Microchip (BCM) — The substrate the CMI runs on
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Cognitive Modeling Intelligence (CMI) — An AI that monitors and interprets brain activity, providing an API for software to interact with the mind
Capabilities
Through a CAD, standard software can interface with the brain:
- The CMI interprets requests from the brain and runs handling software
- Software can send commands to the CMI, which figures out how to convey output to the mind
History
First Development (600 years ago)
The first team to build a working CAD was far ahead of competitors due to key CMI discoveries. Three team members secretly implanted CADs in themselves—and immediately tried to kill each other. The survivor was Alexei Zhakharov.
Government Response
The Atrunean government banned CAD production but secretly hired the remaining team to continue development.
Alexei’s Madness
In hiding, Alexei continued experimenting on his own CAD:
- Boosted cognitive ability but became emotionally unstable
- His brain became addicted to enhancement
- Underwent extreme behavioral phases (violence, hypersexuality, depression)
- Eventually his enhanced cognition allowed him to stabilize his emotional state
[Note: The Ascendant storyline that follows from this is non-canon]