The device that accesses genetic memories in Assassin's Creed is called the Animus.
The Animus allows a modern user to experience ancestral memories encoded in DNA. In the original game, Desmond Miles uses the machine while Abstergo Industries investigates his lineage and searches for information connected to the Assassins.
Although the memories are presented through a technological interface, the series treats them as inherited experiences rather than ordinary recorded videos. The Animus therefore connects modern-day scenes with historical gameplay and explains why players can control ancestors from different periods.
The Animus is sometimes confused with the Bleeding Effect, which is the condition caused by prolonged exposure to ancestral memories. Helix is a later entertainment-oriented simulation platform, while Eagle Vision is an Assassin ability used to perceive people and objects through heightened awareness.