It is one of the great medical revolutions as Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, has achieved a breakthrough by successfully implanting a brain chip in a human for the first time. Musk shared that the procedure occurred on Sunday, and the patient is doing well. This marks a significant step forward in technological advancements for healthcare.
Neuralink, a company working on brain-computer interfaces (BCI), started enrolling human participants for its first clinical trial last autumn following FDA approval. Back then,
For this experiment, mention has been made of certain diseases. It has been stated that individuals dealing with quadriplegia from cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can also join as they are eligible. However, extreme caution is required for this experiment because it is a very dangerous undertaking.
The main objective of this company is to enable individuals to control a keyboard or mouse through their minds. If we look at it, this experiment was previously conducted where it was applied to a woman, and the Brain-Computer Interface allows paralyzed individuals to control devices.
Here is what Elon Musk said about this:
The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.
Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2024Musk didn’t provide more information about the procedure or how the trial is going. However, he mentioned that “initial results show promising neuron spike detection.” It would be a significant achievement if the company successfully implants its device into a human patient.
Musk has suggested that this technology could eventually let people experience different realities. On another note, the company is under federal investigation for potentially breaking animal welfare laws.
The procedure involves implanting a chip into the part of the brain that controls movement intentions using a precise surgical robot. The implant features fine threads to pick up neural signals, translating thoughts into digital actions. Neuralink has named its first product “Telepathy,” giving it a sci-fi vibe.
Despite the excitement over Neuralink’s technological progress, it’s important to note the scrutiny the company has faced. Safety measures, especially in light of a fine from the U.S. Department of Transportation for mishandling hazardous materials, have raised questions.
