In 2077, cybernetic augmentations, or cyberwares as Cyberpunk 2077 calls them, are handed out like smartphones. Every person has one, and why wouldn't they? It allows them to advance into the next stage of human evolution where people embrace machinery and slowly discard their biological restraints. You would be surprised that such a movement is also happening now, whether voluntary or mandatory.
Cybernetics has long been researched and developed for amputees and other disabled people while some visionaries opted to "enhance" themselves for the future's sake, like that one man who implanted an artificial ear in his arm. Point is, the future is happening as early as now, and Cyberpunk 2077's outlandish cyborg culture might not be too far-fetched. In fact, some in-game cybernetics have their own low-tech equivalents available in real life.
10 Bionic Arms
One of the most obvious practical uses for cybernetics would be replacing lost limbs; consequently, bionic arms are the most developed in this regard. Some of them advanced enough to replicate a bit of finger function for daily tasks such as eating.
They're not exactly agile and tactile replacements for actual arms, but every year, companies are striving to push the envelop further. It might only be a matter of time before they start becoming a bit better than organic arms, hands, or fingers.
9 Bionic Legs
The same goes for lower limbs or legs. There are lots of athletes, veterans, and accident victims who have lost their ability to walk independently. Such is also the case for a lot of the NPCs in Cyberpunk 2077, which is hardly surprising considering how widespread street violence and guns are in Night City.
The real world's versions of bionic legs are also only slightly better than pegs. They can't articulate as well as bionic arms and hands as leg muscle function is harder to recreate. However, some prototypes are now being developed with sensory feedback, which could well pave way for bionic legs to become more and more like their sci-fi counterparts.
8 Brain Implants
In Night City, tampering with another person's brain to increase their motor functions or heighten their reflexes is about as common as tinkering with automobiles. V demonstrates this well with their gunman skills.
Sadly, there is nothing quite that mind-blowing available today, however, there are silk implants that latch onto the brain. Laden with flexible wire electrodes, these implants are just used to record brain activity at the moment.
7 Optic Enhancements
Yet another prioritized aspect of cybernetics would be sight or the eyes. Anyone with eyeglasses will know just how much of a hassle visual impairment is. Sometimes you just want to wish that replacing eyeballs is as easily done as in Cyberpunk 2077 — an operation that is showcased near the start of the game.
There is hope for the visually impaired though, as a bionic lens is being researched that hopes to give a vision that's three times better than a regular healthy eye. That's essentially superhuman vision, even if is not exactly as robust as Cyberpunk 2077's optics that come with recorders and thermal detectors.
6 Pacemakers
When it comes to surpassing human limitations in a cyberpunk world, one would usually aim to augment their organs, particularly the most important one, the heart. That's probably why lots of enemies don't die immediately after getting shot in the vitals, plus cardiovascular implants like the Blood Pump improve the healing rate in the game.
That's way too advanced for today's world. However, heart implants have been around for decades, and they're called pacemakers. Much like the Blood Pump from Cyberpunk 2077, pacemakers also force the heart to exert itself and prolong a person's life.
5 Nanoparticle Ink Tattoos
Massive amounts of digital information can easily be stored and transferred these days, and Cyberpunk 2077 takes that to the extreme by including every info a person needs in a tattoo. These tattoos can also serve as neural implants.
Apart from barcodes which have been around for decades, nanoparticle ink tattoos have been making diabetics lives' easier. These tattoos can analyze blood sugar levels and even access some of the microscopic organs in the human body such as lymph nodes and blood cells.
4 Exoskeletons
Ever since Iron Man showed the world just how cool combat armor is, exoskeletons have been a subject of fascination for militaries worldwide. These external and bulky augmentations are also present in Cyberpunk 2077, particularly for people who are more machine than man, the Borgs. One such example is Adam Smasher.
The exoskeletons that exist today are not as scary or as functional as what the Borgs in Cyberpunk 2077 wear but they're still useful in their own right. One of the earliest applications for them is enhancing an individual's endurance and strength as well as freeing up their muscles and bones from heavy loads.
3 Bloodstream Nanorobots
Certain nanomachines or nanorobots in Cyberpunk 2077 behave like over-vigilant white blood cells and clear any foreign object in the body or fight infections. Called nanosurgeons, they are one of the most essential augmentations to have in a futuristic world.
People with poor immune systems and bad blood diseases will be pleased to know that these actually exist right now. They're called nanorobots and they scour the bloodstream looking for toxins and bacteria to clean them up. Like most cybernetics here, they're mostly experimental and are still subject to improvement.
2 Iron Lungs
Improving your stamina is a practically sound choice in the crazy world of Night City in Cyberpunk 2077. The augment for that is called Synlungs, which fortifies the respiratory capacity of an individual.
That's what our current timeline is focusing on right now. Iron lungs have been around for decades like the pacemaker though they're the most cumbersome device here. Their purpose is simple: help a person breathe.
1 Electronic Interfaces/Links
Some of the most invaluable cybernetic augmentations in Cyberpunk 2077 are those that allow players to interface with electronic materials and hack them. It's essentially a playstyle in the game and can be exciting for those who want to avoid fights.
It might not have the same widespread application today but such devices are under study and research right now. The Brain-Computer Interface is pretty much an early form of psychokinesis for electronics and allows individuals to pilot drones with their minds or doctors to improve their medical practices. No hacking yet, however, so keep your hands and fingers as you will need those to play Cyberpunk 2077.