In a groundbreaking leap for neurotechnology, Elon Musk’s Neuralink has achieved a major milestone by successfully implanting its revolutionary brain device, “Link”, in a human patient.
The recipient, recovering well after the procedure, marks the initiation of human trials for Neuralink’s ambitious project.
The compact “Link” implant, about the size of five stacked coins, is surgically embedded in the human brain.
Recently, Musk took to the social media platform X to announce the historic moment, stating, “The first human received an implant from Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.”
Musk also expressed optimism, mentioning, “Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.”
Neuralink received regulatory approval in the United States last year to conduct human trials for its brain implants.
The company’s vision is to establish direct communication links between the human brain and computers, with potential applications in treating neurological disorders like ALS and Parkinson’s disease, while also aiming to augment human capabilities through collaboration with artificial intelligence.
Established in 2016 and headquartered in California, Neuralink boasts a robust team of over 400 employees and has secured funding exceeding $363 million, according to Pitchbook data.
While Elon Musk has been a prominent figure in brain-computer interface research, he reportedly explored collaboration with Synchron, another implant developer, due to delays.
Synchron’s implant, inserted in a US patient in July 2022, offers a less invasive installation process, not requiring the skull to be opened.
Despite the groundbreaking achievement, Neuralink faces scrutiny over safety protocols.
Earlier this month, an international news agency reported fines for breaching US Department of Transportation regulations, and last November, four US lawmakers urged the SEC to investigate claims of Musk potentially misleading investors about the safety of Neuralink’s brain implant.
As the world watches, Neuralink’s recent success signifies a significant stride in neurotechnology, potentially heralding a new era of human-computer interaction.
