Technology
Elon Musk's Neuralink initiates human recruitment for brain chip experiments
The company will surgically implant a chip in the brain.
California: Elon Musk's biotechnology company, Neuralink, has embarked on a groundbreaking mission to conduct experiments on humans as part of its cutting-edge research.
Neuralink, Musk's brain-computer interface (BCI) startup, has officially commenced the recruitment of human participants for its inaugural human trial.
Until now, this groundbreaking technology has only undergone testing on animals.
The primary objective of Neuralink is to establish a seamless connection between the human brain and computers, with a specific focus on individuals suffering from paralysis.
This intricate process, known as the 'Prime Study' (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain Computer Interface), involves the surgical implantation of a specialized chip into the brain.
Utilizing this chip, the brain's electrical signals will be interpreted by the computer, enabling patients to control computer functions such as cursor movement or keyboard inputs through their thoughts.
Dr. Adrian Rapoux, a research associate at Imperial College London's Neural Interface Lab, emphasized the significance of Neuralink's robotic implantation procedure, highlighting its clear advantage in terms of precision and safety.
While Elon Musk's involvement has significantly elevated Neuralink's prominence, the company faces competition from long-established rivals, some of which have been pioneering BCIs for nearly two decades.
For instance, Utah-based BlackRock Neurotech achieved the milestone of installing the first BCI in 2004.