Elon Musk’s Neuralink Hopes to Start Implant Trials on Humans Within Half a Year

Last Wednesday, Elon Musk mentioned that Neuralink, his neurotechnology company dedicated to brain-computer interfaces, may proceed with implanting devices in a person's head in six months, as reported by The Verge. This means that the trials won't commence this year. Musk also expressed his plans to have the device implanted in his head.

Neuralink is Closer to Starting Human Clinical Trials

In his show-and-tell presentation, Musk mentioned that Neuralink has complied with the majority of the required paperwork by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for conducting human clinical trials.

In the past, Musk mentioned that he wanted human trials to start in 2020, and then the timeline changed to 2022. Now, the earliest commencement of these trials is in 2023.

(Photo: Unsplash / Milad Fakurian)

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Brain Chip Interfaces To Be Implanted in the Brain

Overall, Neuralink aims to develop devices called brain chip interfaces (BCI) that may allow disabled or paralyzed individuals to communicate and move once more. These devices are meant to be implanted into the brain. Neuralink also works to make it a device that can control a computer through activity in the brain.

According to CNN, the idea behind Neuralink's endeavors leads to several sociopolitical and ethical issues. However, the researchers and proponents of this endeavor state that these devices are meant to offer life-changing assistance to those who are disabled and amputated in cases where they may lose certain abilities, such as seeing or using both hands.

However, Musk, on the other hand, emphasizes its uses that go beyond medical purposes.

Musk mentioned last 2019 that these devices were being tested on monkey subjects. During 2020, it was put to test among pigs.

Last year, Neuralink released a clip showing a monkey playing Pong using its brain. Now, this 2022, these monkeys have come back into the picture.

The Verge notes that in a video demo, one monkey assisted in "typing" a statement of welcoming to the show and tell. This was done using the implant by focusing on highlighted letters and words.

As the presentation went on, researchers from Neuralink also showcased a pig placed on top of a treadmill. They said that this specific illustration assisted them in understanding how they should address mobility concerns that people face.

These devices are quite tiny. They are filled with several versatile threads that are to be implanted within the brain. To illustrate this, Musk mentioned that it is similar to substitute a part of the skull with a smartwatch.

Other technical information about the device was also relayed during the event. This included the process of building the system, the difficulties faced by the researchers, their technology improvement, and the incoming developers.

Neuralink researchers mentioned developing treatments to enhance or restore one's vision or movement.

On the technical side of things, Neuralink also aims to ensure that the device can easily be upgraded.