Test frames for cyborg, myoborg, and/or bioborg chassis designs. There is a significant degree of overlap between these broad, amorphous categories, but, generally speaking:
Myoborgs and bioborgs are composed entirely or almost entirely of cultured biological or synthetic tissues; even specialized complex machine components like power cells and weapons are organic in nature. True cyborgs, by contrast, employ an integrated internal synthesis of organic and inorganic mechanical systems and can interface directly with peripheral machine components.
The cyborgs' customary segmented "exoskeleton" of ceramic composite armor is omitted here while the basic designs are being tested for functionality and performance. With their layers of artificial muscles and exposed neoprene-like polycarbon "skin," it is almost impossible to tell on superficial examination whether these 'borgs are wholly biological or partially mechanical in nature and composition. I will nevertheless try to characterize them as one or the other on an individual basis, though some ambiguity remains.
TOP - A fairly typical avimorph bipedal cyborg chassis, its exposed internal structure probably similar to ([link]). Note the open exhaust ports behind the hips.
LEFT - Undefined amphibious assault 'borg. Despite the somewhat arthropod-like limb configuration, internal anatomy (even if synthetic) would be modelled on vertebrate musculoskeletal architecture. The "exoskeletal" joint plates are superficial plastic armor attached to the suit, not part of the 'borg's underlying anatomy.
RIGHT - Naval assault 'borg, probably a synthetic myoborg (that is, employing myoelectric muscles and artificial rather than biological organ systems). I pictured the lower body as similar to ([link]), though it may also be whale-, snake-, or centipede-like (designated the "Leviathan," "Naga," and "Con Rit" forms respectively). The streamlined armor is probably integral to the 'borg's anatomy and may be part of a magnetohydrodynamic propulsion system.
BOTTOM - The Cihuacoatl or "Snake Woman" is a distinctive hybrid cyborganic design of Mesoamerican origin featuring an admixture of ophidian DNA. The tentacular "serpent arms," each possessing a vestigial subsidiary brain for target tracking and motion control, are in fact venomous and are used for assault as well as in grasping and brachiating. The production model of this 'borg, christened Coatlicue, will eventually be employed to devastating effect against unified U.S. and E.U. regular army forces during the colonial border wars of 2178, where it will earn a particularly menacing U.N. aggressor designation--The Gorgon.
Viral gene transmission from abandoned and AWOL populations of this 'borg to native seeded wildlife will eventually lead to an mild epidemic of panspermic polycephaly on the Frontier worlds, a development with longterm evolutionary repercussions for extrasolar ecosystems.
All of these are quite amazing! Like I think others have mentioned, I really like the naval borg - I find it has a certain subtlety of design! That last sentence also has so much going for it!
You know, i think each of these guys would really stanb alone on their own piece of paper!
Whoa, thanks, Ben...You know, I was so enamored with "Snake Woman" when I first did her up that I was thinking about giving her a solo post, but then I thought, "Naaah, too rough, tableau and Scraps!" Your comment really validates my intuition though and gets me thinking that I should take a shot at depicting her, at least, in a more refined form...Thank you!
Oh, thanks very much! I feel like I could spend the rest of my life exploring designs like that, both in analog and CG art...Those flowy, organic forms with the implied glossy textures and bold patterns have almost infinite potential variation, and they're very easy to do with 3D modelling techniques especially.
the top one looks cute but I can picture it tearing off after some poor bastard and headbutting him to death, as for the other three, they just creep me out. cracking stuff
I like those designs, but I am wondering about the naval borg's head: wasn't it suppose to be more streamlined for lower resistance when swimming? Like adding a smooth snout or something?
You know, i think each of these guys would really stanb alone on their own piece of paper!
[link]