The Animus is the fictional device that shows ancestral memories in Assassin's Creed.
In the series, the Animus allows a modern user to relive genetic memories inherited from an ancestor. The technology provides the narrative bridge between contemporary characters and historical protagonists such as Altaïr, Ezio, Connor, and Bayek.
Desmond Miles first uses an Animus after being captured by Abstergo Industries, the modern organization associated with the Templars. Later stories introduce updated versions and related systems, including Abstergo's commercial entertainment platform called Helix.
The Animus is not the same as Eagle Vision, which is a perception ability used by Assassins and other characters. It is also different from an Apple of Eden, a powerful Precursor artifact. The device is fictional, but the games use it to connect historical settings, modern conspiracy plots, and the series' recurring memory theme.