Neural interface

The neural interface on the back of a human skull.

The neural interface, commonly known as a neural implant or neural lace, is a type of technology used by the UNSC.

Functions

The basic function of the standard neural interface is to act as a "friend or foe" indicator, so that radar signatures will pick up the owner's signature and identify it as friendly. This way, the wearer appears as a "yellow" blip on the motion tracker of another soldier's heads-up display and friendly fire is less likely. More advanced models issued to key personnel possess a number of additional functions, including connections to data networks, enabling the wearer to coordinate with other command personnel as well as AIs and securely access sensitive data.

The neural interface is implanted at the base of the skull and can only be removed through sophisticated surgery. The most basic interface, known as a "neural chip", is implanted in all UNSC military personnel upon activation, but it can be replaced with a more specialized neural lace should the need arise. Ship commanders receive command neural interfaces, while the SPARTAN-IIs have received the more specialized "SPARTAN neural interface". The basic neural chip is completely embedded under the skin and possesses no external interface port, unlike the more specialized variations.

Trivia

• The skulls in the Halo games have neural interfaces.
• Kig-Yar particularly love to go after heads equipped with neural interfaces when carrying out a Mev-ut.

Gallery

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  Diagrams of the Spartan neural interface.

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  Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood's command neural interface.

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  The neural interface, as seen on the Oddball in Halo: Combat Evolved.

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  Neural implant location inside a human skull.