Australian researchers have unveiled the world’s first fully functional bionic eye system, “Phoenix 99,” designed to fully restore vision to individuals with degenerative retinal conditions.
Developed by a team at the University of Sydney and UNSW, the breakthrough technology bypasses damaged retinal cells and directly stimulates the brain’s visual cortex. It combines a camera, a processing unit, and a surgically implanted microelectrode array to transmit visual signals.
The device marks a significant advancement over earlier implants that only offered partial vision. Human trials are expected soon, following promising results in animal testing.
If successful, the Phoenix 99 could become the first system to offer complete sight restoration—ushering in a new era for neural prosthetics and brain-machine interfaces.
