Elon Musk, co-founder of Neuralink, recently announced the company could implant its first brain-computer chips in human patients as early as 2022. Initial recipients will be individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Previous research has demonstrated how brain-machine interfaces enable control of drones and prosthetics by detecting and relaying neural signals that reflect user intentions. However, these systems typically required wired connections to external computers for adequate signal bandwidth. Founded four years ago, Neuralink is pioneering a fully wireless alternative.
At its core is a chip implanted with electrodes in the brain region controlling voluntary movement, linked to a network that processes, stimulates, or transmits neural signals to external devices—allowing touch-free control.
These aren't ordinary electrodes. Neuralink's flexible polymer "threads," measuring four to six micrometers thick (ten times thinner than a human hair), are too delicate for human hands to handle. The company has developed precision robots to implant them exactly where needed.
Initially, the implants will enable paralyzed individuals to control computers using thoughts alone. Future applications could treat neurological conditions like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, and even enhance human cognition long-term.
Months ago, two electrode arrays were successfully implanted in a macaque's motor cortex, allowing it to play Pong using brain signals alone. Subsequent tests have progressed steadily, paving the way for human trials.
Per Elon Musk, Neuralink aims to begin human implants in 2022, targeting spinal cord injury patients. These individuals, unable to control their limbs, could soon connect to devices via brainwaves to communicate, browse the web, and more.
Neuralink is currently awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
