Elon Musk launched the innovative neurotechnology startup Neuralink, which recently completed the first human brain implant. This accomplishment is the result of thousands of people expressing interest in taking part in the trials, which the company received an overwhelming response to only a few months ago. Neuralink successfully completed the first test after receiving FDA certification last year, which represents a major advancement in the field of brain-computer interfaces.
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Musk took to X on Tuesday to share some exciting news: a human participant has successfully received an implant from Neuralink, and their recovery is progressing smoothly. According to Musk, the initial results of the experiment have yielded encouraging signs of neuron spike detection. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about the Neuralink experiment.
The comprehensive details of the Neuralink trial
The research project, known as the ‘PRIME Study,’ is projected to have a duration of six years. According to sources, Neuralink has developed a small 4mm-square chip called the N1, designed to be surgically placed inside the skull.
This chip is equipped with delicate wires that extend into the brain, enabling it to receive and analyze neural signals transmitted between neurons. Moreover, these wires have the capability to generate their own impulses, closely resembling those produced by the neurons. Elon Musk refers to this innovative device as Telepathy.
The company has announced that their chip is capable of connecting with 1,000 individual brain cells, and patients may receive up to 10 chips, according to the company’s claims.
This experiment represents the latest advancement in technology that has been developed over several decades to implant electrodes in human brains, with the aim of interpreting signals and treating various conditions such as paralysis, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. Bloomberg reported that this experiment is just one of 11 surgeries that Neuralink plans to perform in 2024.
In what way will it be of assistance to people?
Musk’s main focus for the Neuralink experiment is to provide assistance to individuals suffering from paralysis. In the future, it may also have the potential to support those with vision and hearing disabilities. However, the ultimate objective is to combine humans with artificial intelligence (AI), reminiscent of the futuristic world depicted in Cyberpunk 2077.
Who is eligible?
In order to be eligible for participation in the study, there is a requirement. The patient registry application from Neuralink specifies that the individuals who volunteer must experience one of the subsequent conditions: quadriplegia, paraplegia, visual impairment or complete loss of vision, aphasia or the inability to speak, hearing impairment or complete deafness, and/or significant limb amputation (affecting either above or below the elbow and/or above or below the knee).
In order to be eligible, individuals must be adults by law, which implies they should be at least 18 years old and have reached the age of majority in their specific state. Additionally, they should hold US citizenship or have permanent residency status.