SpaceX founder Elon Musk has announced that neurotechnology company Neuralink plans to place the chip in the first human within six months. The implant will allow him to use his phone and computer hands-free.
“We think we might be able to place the first implant in maybe about six months. [чип] man,” Musk said.
He promised that the company would act with caution. According to him, in previous similar studies, the necessary precautions had already been taken when the chips were implanted in animals.
“We want to be extremely careful and confident that the device will work well before being introduced to a person,” the owner of the company said.
Musk noted that the company has already filed most of the documents required to obtain a permit.
Citing a Neuralink spokesperson, Bloomberg said, “Continuing discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have gone well enough for the company to set a goal of carrying out the first human trials within the next six months.” Said.
However, experts interviewed by Bloomberg point out that the type of brain surgery offered by Neuralink is much more invasive (requiring more intervention) than many of its other competitors in the industry. A piece of the patient’s skull should be taken and wires placed in the brain tissue. Neuralink has been experimenting with primates for years to prove that the operation is safe and that the device can stay in the brain for a long time without causing harm.
What can the new chip do?
The head of Neuralink showed a video of a monkey performing “telepathic actions”, according to him, a chip implanted in his brain. typed on keyboard “Can I have some treats please?”Controlling the cursor with the help of your brain.
“He moves the cursor with his mind. But in reality he [обезьяна] I can’t type. Don’t underestimate this device,” said Musk.
According to him, these chips are so small that they are difficult to detect.
“Totally hypothetically, I could put a Neuralink device on you right now and you wouldn’t even know it,” Musk joked.
Neuralink’s Vice President of Implants, DJ Seo, said the chip will be wireless and rechargeable, according to CNN. According to him, they started production in Austin, Texas, and started building a testing clinic where the robotic surgeon would be used. Robot prototypes were also introduced at the event.
Usage expectations
Musk said the purpose of the new device is to help people affected by stroke consequences. Thanks to a chip placed in their brains, they will be able to communicate by expressing their thoughts through a computer.
Neuralink scientists have been working on this development for several years. In April 2021, the company showed a video of a monkey with two chips inserted playing virtual table tennis. Neuralink noted that their device converts brain activity into commands.
Musk also talked about working on two more products. One of the implants under development will allow a paralyzed person to regain the ability to move, while the other is designed to improve or restore vision.
“As unbelievable as it may sound, we are confident that it is possible to fully restore the functionality of the body of a person with a spinal cord injury,” Musk said.
In a 2017 interview with Wait But Why, he said his company could create technology in the future that would allow you to exchange ideas remotely without speaking.
The Neuralink initiative was founded by Musk in July 2016 to combine the efforts of leading experts in the development of neural interfaces and the creation of robots that allow implanting an almost unlimited number of electrodes into the brain in fully automatic mode.
The company plans to first create a neural interface for people with brain pathologies and serious injuries, and in the second phase, start developing chips that allow the human brain to compete with artificial intelligence.