Neuralink to Begin High-Volume Production of Brain-Computer Interface Devices in 2026 with Breakthrough in Implantation Technique

Cailianshe, January 2 (Editor: Shi Zhengcheng)World’s Richest Person Elon Musk Reveals That His Brain-Computer Interface Company Neuralink Plans to Significantly Increase Production of Brain-Computer Devices in 2026 and Innovate Implantation Methods

In a social media post this week, Musk stated,Neuralink Will Begin Mass Production of Its Brain-Computer Interface Devices in 2026（high-volume production），and will advance a surgical protocol with a highly streamlined, nearly fully automated process。

Musk also revealed,Next, the electrode wire in the device will pass directly through the dura mater without the need for its removal.—This is a very significant breakthrough.

Neuralink is a cutting-edge technology company co-founded by Elon Musk in 2016, aiming to enable humans to control computers with their thoughts through brain-implanted chips. Its initial goal is to help patients with severe neurological disorders (such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, paralysis, or visual impairment) regain communication abilities and independence. In its long-term vision, healthy individuals could also gain certain artificial intelligence enhancements through brain-computer interfaces.

Currently, the Neuralink device is about the size of a coin, with a row of electrode wires extending from the chip, byRobotImplanted into the patient's brain.

Also according to the official website,During device implantation, the surgeon must first remove a small section of skull and dura mater matching the diameter of the implant., and then the surgical robot precisely inserts the electrode threads into the brain. After the surgery is completed, the implant is secured at the cranial opening, followed by suturing the skin to cover it.

The dura mater is the outermost and toughest membrane enveloping the brain. Avoiding its resection eliminates a critical invasive step requiring specialized physician intervention, thereby reducing the risk of surgical complications and facilitating highly automated surgical procedures.

What remains unclear is whether the mass production mentioned by Musk means that the number of volunteers accepting brain-computer interface implant experiments will rapidly increase.

As is well known, after years of back-and-forth with the U.S. FDA,Neuralink did not complete the implantation in its “first human subject” until January 2024. In a post in early September last year, Neuralink revealed12 people worldwide have received brain-computer interface chip implants, an increase from the seven cases reported in June.