Elon Musk's Next Neuralink Project Is 'Blindsight'; Implant for Blind People Already Working in Monkeys

Elon Musk gave an update about the next goal of Neuralink. According to the billionaire, he hoped to help the blinds with Neuralink's new project called "Blindsight."

Elon Musk Gives Update About Neuralink's Blindsight

The wealthy entrepreneur and genius gave an update about Neuralink on Wednesday (March 20). In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Musk announced that "Blindsight is the next @Neuralink product after Telepathy." He also shared the progress of the project.

According to Musk, they have already tested the Blindsight implant in monkeys and it works. The resolution was reportedly "low at first," similar to that of Nintendo graphics. However, it ultimately exceeds the normal human vision. The tech expert also noted that no monkey died or was seriously injured when they tested the new Neuralink device.

Musk's statement about animal welfare could be due to the various speculations that Neuralink harmed animals during testing. Several groups previously questioned Neuralink's years of animal research and provided little to no trust in the company's potential for human "brain chip" trials.

Musk first announced "Blindsight" in January in his response to social media users on X. The tech billionaire responded to a tweet that features a clip of his interview about Neuralink.

In the video, Musk talked about Neuralink restoring people's functionality, especially those who lost the connection between their brain and body. The post also mentioned that it will help restore eyesight. "Telepathy & Blindsight," Musk commented.

Neuralink Previous Investigations

Neuralink mismanaged the implants they withdrew from their monkey subjects, according to a letter written by the Physicians Committee of Response Medicine (PCRM), which was based on information they were able to obtain from the public. They are accused of carrying potentially contagious diseases on multiple occasions.

Additionally, PCRM stated that it has access to 327 pages of correspondence between Neuralink and the University of California, Davis, a collaborator. The emails purportedly expressed the staff members' worries regarding the removal and care of implants, particularly those from critically ill monkeys.

The letter claimed that Neuralink personnel used an open box without a secondary container to transfer the explanted hardware containing possibly infectious materials from their location to UC Davis.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is looking into the corporation as a result of the letter.

USDOT stated that it takes these kinds of claims seriously and that it is currently looking into whether Neuralink complies with federal laws and protects the public and its workers from potentially harmful microorganisms.

PCRM had previously filed a complaint against Neuralink. The committee claimed in 2022 that the business subjected the animals used in the experiment to cruel testing. The animals were supposedly left to suffer and perish with their brains severed.

"Hundreds of pages of public records revealed animals suffering from sloppy experiments that resulted in chronic infections, seizures, paralysis, internal bleeding and declining psychological health," PCRM reported in 2022.

In response, Neuralink refuted the claim and emphasized PCRM's opposition to all animal research. The company stated that in order to undertake human trials in an ethical manner, all revolutionary medical equipment and treatments currently in development must first undergo testing on animals.

Neurlink went on to say that it is dedicated to treating animals with the utmost morality and compassion.

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