Neuralink, the brain-machine interface startup owned by tech mogul Elon Musk, has conducted its first implant on a human brain. The company has also revealed the name of its first product: Telepathy.
Neuralink Sees First Human Brain Implant
Elon Musk recently shared through X that for the first time, a human has recently received a brain implant from Neuralink and has been recovering well. He shares that initial results exhibit promising spike detection in neurons. This brain-chip implantation could lead to major breakthroughs in brain-machine interfaces.
This development comes after Neuralink was granted a clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to start trials among humans. This served as the green light for the beginning of a six-year study where a robot is used for surgically placing 64 flexible threads, which are thinner than human hair, onto a brain region that manages movement intention.
According to the company, these threads allow the implant to wirelessly record as well as transmit brain signals to an app that decodes the movement intentions of a person.
The company also announced later on that they were looking for volunteers to have these brain chips implanted.
Previously, Neuralink had implanted chips on monkey brains and showed their capacity to maneuver through simple video games through the chip.
Though Musk has also touted about restoring the capacities of individuals who lost their motor skill use. He has also expressed the need for humans to keep up with the pace of AI as his drive behind working on Neuralink.
The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2024
Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.
ALSO READ: Neuralink Successfully Implants Brain Chip in First Human, Elon Musk Announces
Telepathy: The First Neuralink Product
Musk also shared that the first Neuralink product has been given a name: Telepathy. He further writes in X that the product will be able to control their phones or computers just by thinking.
The initial users of the product will be those with limb use loss. "Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer. That is the goal," Musk writes.
Enables control of your phone or computer, and through them almost any device, just by thinking.
Initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs.
Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer. That is the goal.— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 30, 2024
Brain-Machine Interfaces
While Musk's Neuralink has been seeing the spotlight, the company has rivals to face in the field. Some go even as far back as two decades.
Blackrock Neurotech, which is based in Utah, was able to see its first-of-many brain-machine interfaces back in 2004.
Moreover, Precision Neuroscience, which was formed by a co-founder of Neuralink, aims to assist people dealing with paralysis. Their implants are similar to an extremely thin tape piece that sits on the brain surface. This can be implanted through a cranial micro-slit, which is claimed to be simpler.
Other existing devices have also shown results. In two different studies across the US, implants were incorporated for checking brain activity when a person attempted to sleep. This could then be decoded to aid with communication.
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