Musk search for brain machinery interface

Elon Musk – the richest person in the world – has made a controversial introduction to US politics. Love it or hate it, what is indisputable is Musk’s ability to unite people with domain expertise to translate ideas of scientific fiction into reality through ventures like Tesla, Spacex, and others. Such an enterprise is neuralralin. Musk and others founded the company in 2016 to develop brain computer interfaces. He funded him with $ 100m of his money. Here’s what you need to know about neuralralin.

What is a brain interface?

A brain-compumer interface is a system transmits signals created by brain cells-also called neurons-with external devices such as computers or smartphones.

For example, electroencephalograms (EEGs) are an example of a brain-computer interface. Non-invasive EEGS records electrical activity in patients with seizures through small electrodes located on the scalp. Brain-computers interfaces can also be invader where a device is implanted on the surface of the brain by a neurosurgeon.

What are you developing neuralralin?

The main interface of the neuralral brain computer is called “N1 implant”. The size of a coin. Is one invader The brain-computers interface where microscopic strands containing hair-like electrodes are introduced by a surgeon led by a robot “R1 robot” in the target areas of the brain to record activity. When n1 enters the brain – they say, the part that controls the arm – and the neurons fire in that area, the signals can be transmitted to a computer.

Implant N1 is being tested in people with spinal cord damage and degenerative neurological disease, where the connection between their brains and their bodies is damaged. The N1 implant is inserted into the areas of the brain associated with engine control. Once it entered, the idea is that patients can control computer cursors (or robotic limbs at one point) through their thoughts.

Do neuralralin products work?

The computer’s computer interfaces are tested on animal models. In an apparent experiment, a macak named Pager play a pong game using only the implanted device to control the voyes.

In 2023, Neuralralink received the FDA approval to begin its first human rehearsals for N1 implant. The main study of neuralralin is actively recording people aged 22 and older with the limited function of the quadrilateral in the wings and feet – from a spinal cord injury or amiotrophic side sclerosis (ALS). People can add themselves to the register of neuralraline patients to see that they are entitled to the main study or future neuralral studies.

So far, Neuralralink has published reports of two patients where the device was implanted in May and August 2024 on their blog. A case study on a Neuralralk patient was published in the Journal Natural remedy In January 2025.

According to the neuralraline blog, before surgery, their first patient-named Noland, a quadrilateral-had used an oral writing tip, which had to be placed in his mouth by a guardian in a tablet. This led to muscle fatigue, prevented him from talking and the pressure wounds needed to be in a sitting position.

After Noland had placed his neuralraline implant, he was able to control the cursor with his brain, play computer games and browse the internet. A second patient named Alex has also been able to play video games and is reportedly learning to use computer -assisted design software to design three dimensional objects.

While these stories are promising, they should not be interpreted as long -term security or efficiency. Neuralralink has a long way forward for the approval of the FDA, by order of many years.

How can Neuralralk technology be used in the near and distant future?

If Neuralralink judgments for N1 are successful, eventual FDA approval means that there may be commercial available for some paralysis patients.

Neuralralin technology can also be expanded to other areas. Neuralralk is developing another product called “Blindsight” for people a specific visual type of optical nerve damage and intact neurons in the part of the brain that controls the vision (ie visual cortex). The idea is to transmit the data directly to the visual cortex with an implant that allows the blind to see.

In September 2024, Neuralralink received a determination of the progress device from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a program that accelerates the approval of products that address unfulfilled needs in life -threatening or irreversible conditions. However, despite this signal from the FDA, the concerns are raised by experts if the blindfold will be technically possible.

The technology of the brain computer interface of the neuralralink has also been discussed of other possible uses, for example, in mental health treatments for anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, where intended nerve stimulation can help improve of the function of poorly regulated brain areas.

Some have raised concerns that the way to treat such conditions with neuro-infections, carefully established, may not be effective because these diseases tend to be more diffusely distributed than affect a specific region of the brain .

Discussions of the future of neuralralin technology have also focused on futuristic – or even two -way applications such as improving human recognition. A vision involves the integration of technology into the education process, where students can download direct knowledge in their brains like Neo made in Matrix Move (1999), “I know Kung Fu”. Note for students: Do not expect this technology to be available soon.

On the other hand, while skepticism remains about specific cases of use for neuralralin, history has often shown that the suspicion of Elon Musk’s ambitious ventures can lead to the wrong exam.

All this looks like Sci-Fi. Are there any concerns with neuralralin?

Safety and efficiency issues with neuralral technology include the risks of surgery, infections, device life, immune issues as the body can refuse foreign device and broader effects on the brain.

Moreover, because neuralral devices are read and interpret brain signals, there are questions for both data storage and protection, and the potential for revenge and misuse. Finally, concerns have been raised about how a very expensive technology can be evenly distributed or accessible to the large populations of patients.