Elon Musk: Neuralink Brain Chips Aim to 'Give People Superpowers' – 5 Key Developments to Expect
Neuralink
Brain-Computer Interface System Developer
Elon Musk and Neuralink executives recently appeared in a live broadcast to provide an update on the company’s latest developments.
The CEO stated that he ultimately hopes to, through Neuralink's brain chip, “Empowering People with Superpowers”。
Elon Musk provided a timeline for testing on new patients and shared details about the next device.
The CEO took this opportunity to outline the work that has been completed and offered his predictions on the future of brain chips.The chip contains a set of fine wires., these wires fan out into the patient’s brain. The wires are equipped with electrodes that can monitor brain activity and, in theory, deliver electronic signals to stimulate the brain.
The company’s current focus is on treating patients with neurological disorders. Neuralink’s first patient, Noland Arbaugh, received the brain implant this January and has since stated that it has improved his life. However, Musk stated during a live broadcast that he ultimately believes the technology can provide capabilities surpassing those of individuals without neurological disorders. Musk further added,He envisioned a world in which Optimus and Neuralink technology would grant people “cybernetic superpowers” by implanting the arms or legs of Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, into individuals who have lost certain limbs or organs.
As is well known, Musk has made ambitious promises about the future—some of which he will eventually revise. But the CEO has also provided specific answers regarding short-term testing and expectations for the second product.
At the start of the live stream, Musk said,The Second Neuralink Patient Is Expected to Receive an Implant Next Week. According to Bloomberg, the surgery was originally scheduled for late June but was postponed due to the patient's health issues.Neuralink is developing a second device with half the number of electrodes as its first.Musk stated that the current device has 64 threads, with 16 electrodes on each thread, and the next device will double the number of threads, with half the number of electrodes on each thread.Musk stated that this could double the bandwidth, theoretically making it more powerful.
Neuralink will implement risk mitigation measures, including skull milling, which will bring the implant closer to the brain and reduce stress on the threads. This will prevent thread retraction, an issue that occurred in the initial trial when the skull was not penetrated.
Musk stated that, “if all goes well,” he expects Neuralink’s patient trial results this year to reach “high single digits.” He said that within a few years, the chip could be tested in thousands of people, depending on technological advancements and regulatory approval.
To the surprise of some, Musk also explicitly stated that Neuralink does not implant chips into the brains of random individuals.Musk said, “But in the future, if you want us to implant a device in your brain that could help you address issues related to having a chip in your brain, we will be able to do so.””
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