The first human patient to be implanted with Neuralink's brain-computer device is recovering well, according to Elon Musk. Musk said the person successfully received the implant and early results showed promising detection of neuronal spikes.
The Neuralink brain chip
Neuralink is a device created by Elon Musk that aims to help people with debilitating injuries or paralysis interact with digital devices using only their thoughts. Neuralink's first product is called Telepathy and will allow users to control digital devices through thought.
The process of implanting the device
The Neuralink device is implanted through a small section in the patient's skull using a surgical robot. The device is made of ultra-thin, flexible wires that are placed in a region of the brain responsible for movement. Once implanted, the device becomes invisible and acts as a recorder and transmitter to wirelessly send data to an application that decodes the patient's thoughts into digital movements on a device.
Criticisms and controversies
Neuralink has come under criticism for its safety procedures, with some US lawmakers calling for an investigation into the safety of Neuralink implants. However, Neuralink has not yet responded to requests for comment.