Neuralink to implant microchips into human brains in 2022 | How Does The Technology Work And What Can A Person Do With It?

It's like a Fitbit for your head with wires,' he explained during a 2020 prototype display.

Thursday, December 9, 2021 | Chimniii Desk

Key Highlights

Elon Musk, the billionaire engineer, stated in a Wall Street Journal interview that Neuralink, his brain-interface technology business formed in 2016, expects to begin implanting microchips in humans as early as next year.
The chip, which is aimed at quadriplegics and those who have suffered brain or spinal injuries, would enable people to transmit their thoughts via computers and mobile devices.
The electrodes that comprise the Neuralink will be used to read electrical signals generated by many neurons in the brain.
It can serve as a link between the human brain and technology.

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Elon Musk shows Neuralink brain implant working in a pig - CNET

Elon Musk, the controversial billionaire engineer, stated in a Wall Street Journal interview that Neuralink, his brain-interface technology business formed in 2016, expects to begin implanting microchips in humans as early as next year.

This chip connects brain neurons to any type of computing system, allowing for the recording and stimulation of cerebral activity. The chip, which is aimed at quadriplegics and those who have suffered brain or spinal injuries, would enable people to transmit their thoughts via computers and mobile devices.

"As users consider moving their arms or hands, we decode their intents and send them via Bluetooth to the user's PC," according to the website. "Initially, users would be taught to control through a virtual mouse. Later on, as users gain experience and our adaptive decoding algorithms improve, we anticipate that users will be able to manage numerous devices simultaneously, such as a keyboard or game controller."

Musk said the chip works well in monkeys during a live-streamed interview at the Wall Street Journal CEO Council Summit. The company is conducting thorough testing to ensure that the device is "very safe and reliable" and that it can be removed safely.

Neuralink debuted a preliminary coin-sized gadget in August of last year, describing it as the newest prototype. Musk described the device as "similar to a Fitbit in your head with small wires" during a 2020 demonstration on a pig.

While Musk has previously stated a timeline for Neuralink's chips to be implanted in humans, Musk has a track record of overpromising and underdelivering. He stated in 2019 that Neuralink planned to begin human testing in 2020 and again in 2021.

"We hope to have this in our first humans next year — which will be folks with severe spinal cord injuries such as tetraplegics and quadriplegics," he told the WSJ.

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What is Neuralink?

Neuralink

Neuralink is a device that will be surgically implanted into the brain by neurosurgeons utilising robotics. A chipset called the link is implanted in the skull during this process. It is made up of a series of insulated wires that link to the electrodes utilised in the procedure. This device may then be used without touching it to operate smartphones and PCs. How does this "invention" function, "pushing the boundaries of neural engineering"?

How Does Neuralink Work?

What Is Elon Musk's Brain Microchip Company, Neuralink? What We Know.

Before delving into how Neuralink works, it's necessary to grasp the science behind the human brain. The brain is made up of neurons that communicate with other cells in the body, such as muscle, nerve, gland, and other neuron cells. Each neuron is composed of three components: a dendrite, a soma (cell body), and an axon. Each of these components serves a distinct purpose. The dendrite is the recipient of the signals. These impulses are processed by the soma. After then, the axon transfers the signals to the neighbouring cells. The synapses that connect the neurons together release neurotransmitters. These chemical compounds are subsequently sent to the dendrite of another neuron cell, resulting in the flow of current between the neurons. The electrodes that comprise the Neuralink will be used to read electrical signals generated by many neurons in the brain. After then, the signals are output in the form of an action or movement. According to the company's website, the gadget is implanted directly into the brain because it cannot reliably detect the brain's impulses when placed outside the head. Now that you understand what Neuralink is and how it works, it's time to learn what Neuralink performs.

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What Does Neuralink Do?

As noted previously, Neuralink is capable of operating encephalopathy. Additionally, it can serve as a link between the human brain and technology. This means that those who are paralysed can easily operate their phones and computers using only their minds. Its primary function is to assist people in communicating via text or voice messages. Naturally, Neuralink is not restricted to this; it can also be used to draw, take photographs, and perform other tasks.

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