Neuralink, a Brain-Computer Interface for a Robotic Robot that Can Transmit Neural Signals and Communicate With Your Brain

Neuralink is one of a handful of companies developing a brain-computer interface, or BCI, a system that collects brain signals, analyzes them, and translates them into commands to control an external device. The company said it had received approval from the FDA to conduct its first in-human study, but no further details were given at the time.

This computer isn’t a comprehensive brain computer Musk has been talking about for years. Neuralink is not close to Musk’s goal of telepathy and a system that will help humans keep up with artificial intelligence, which he has been talking about for years.

People that have been paralyzed can now use implants to control computers and other devices. Two recently published studies, for instance, showed brain-to-computer interfaces could help patients with ALS communicate by typing on a computer.

Neuralink didn’t specify where the trial will take place, and representatives did not respond to WIRED’s email request for an interview.

Neuralink’s coin-sized implant is not visible when implanted, according to the company. It records neural activity using 1,024 electrodes, distributed across 64 threads, each thinner than a human hair.

During the study, the robot will surgically place the implant into a part of the brain that controls movement intention. Brain signals are recorded and transmitted by the implant to an app which decodes movement intentions.

The company has not revealed the exact region of the brain its device will be embedded in, which hospital has given the institutional review board approval, nor how many participants it will ultimately enroll in the study.

Musk spoke at the Neuralink show last November about two possible use cases for the implant, both helping people with paralysis control tech devices and restoring vision. There was no mention of a vision appliance in the releases today.