Elon Musk’s brain-chip implant company, Neuralink, is in search of its first volunteer who is willing to undergo a groundbreaking procedure.
The procedure will involve removing a piece of skull and the insertion of thin wires and electrodes into the brain by a robotic surgeon.
The ideal candidate for this procedure will be under the age of 40 and quadriplegic. This advanced technology aims to implant a chip with 1,000 electrodes into the brain, enabling computer functions to be controlled by thoughts alone via a “think-and-click” mechanism.
To achieve this, a 7-foot-tall robot, known as “R1”, equipped with cameras, sensors and a needle, will delicately insert 64 threads into the brain, avoiding blood vessels. Each thread, approximately 1/14th the diameter of a human hair, is lined with 16 electrodes programmed to gather data related to brain neural activity.
These electrodes are designed to record neural signals related to movement intention, which Neuralink’s computers decode.
Neuralink has focused on robot-assisted procedures because human surgeons may not have the precision required to insert the threads without risking damage to vital brain tissue.
The company has previously conducted hundreds of experimental surgeries on animals like pigs, sheep and monkeys, drawing criticism from animal rights groups for alleged abuses. Neuralink is now shifting its focus to create a product ready for human use, aiming to help individuals with debilitating neurological conditions.
While it is unclear whether Neuralink plans to compensate volunteers, those with paralysis due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may qualify for the study. However, the company has not disclosed the number of participants involved and the trial is expected to span six years.
Neuralink’s ambitious goal is to develop a brain interface and provide autonomy to those with unmet medical needs while eventually making this technology available to billions of people, unlocking human potential beyond biological capabilities.
Elon Musk envisions using the technology to treat various conditions like obesity, autism, depression and schizophrenia.
While the company received FDA clearance for its first-in-human clinical trial, it may take more than a decade to secure commercial approval.
[Image created via MidJourney]