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There are many and varied proposals that speculate what the 21st century will be like. Humanity has already passed through the ages of steam, electronics and information - so what’s next? One conjecture favoured by many scientists is that it will come to be known as the age of the mind, a logical proposal given the daily bombardment of news announcements in fields as diverse as neurology, physiology, computer programming, ergonomics, philosophy and artificial intelligence. In fact, we are already surrounded by new technologies that help us to perceive things, to understand things, and even, on occasion, to think for us.

Joseph Giacomin takes us on a visual journey into one specific region of the mind, that of perception enhancement. The term expresses that multiplicity of new technologies acting to augment human sensory abilities, permitting us to see, hear and feel the world through technological eyes, ears and hands. Enhancing human perception is not new - even the Greeks and the Romans regularly used their magnifying lenses - but humanity has never had at its fingertips the range of sensor, signal processing and cognitive technologies flooding the market today.

Can we see in the dark? Can we see through walls? Can we see heat? Of course we can - this is the 21st century! As we embark on this picture tour of what our world looks like thought artificial eyes, emotional and thought-provoking images of the well known and the rare provide a brief glimpse into what the world around us looks like when we are willing to transcend our usual perceptual abilities. This visual diary will be an inspiration for future artists, designers and scientists.

About the Author:
Professor Joseph Giacomin is the director of the Human Centred Design Institute (HCDI) of Brunel University in London, which performs research leading to products, systems and services which are physically, perceptually, cognitively and emotionally intuitive to users. He lectures on Human Factors and Perception Enhancement, and applies perception enhancing techniques to various products, systems and services, ranging from road vehicles to home energy systems. He is a member of the editorial boards of Ergonomics in Design, Ergonomics, and the International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration. He is a Fellow of the The Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors, a member of the Associazione Per Il Disegno Industriale and a member of the Royal Photographic Society.

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