Elon Musk recently claimed that the first human patient has received a Neuralink brain-computer interface (BCI) implant, but stopped short of offering any substantial additional information or proof. In a series of messages posted on Monday evening to X, his social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Neuralink’s majority owner alleged an anonymous volunteer underwent the company’s experimental procedure on January 28 and “is recovering well” while showing “promising neuron spike detection.” In a separate tweet, Musk also announced the first Neuralink product will be called Telepathy.
Despite the potential company milestone, no other official details have been made available in the nearly 24 hours since Musk’s announcement. At the time of writing, Neuralink’s most recent news update is still an initial solicitation on their official website for human trial volunteers published last fall.
[Related: Neuralink is searching for its first human test subjects.]
Neuralink implant plans, explained
Co-founded by Musk in 2016, Neuralink is a tech startup aiming to create BCI implants for a variety of uses. However, its first devices are specifically tailored for physically impaired and paralyzed patients suffering from diseases such ALS to restore motor functions and the ability to communicate.
Musk, in turn, has repeatedly voiced hopes of designing implants capable of connecting anyone’s brain to smartphones, computers, and the internet. The devices are intended to be completely reversible and ungradable, with Musk likening them to iPhones. In 2022, Neuralink’s “N1” was reportedly the size of a quarter, and employed a robotic surgeon machine to subcutaneously connect microscopic wiring to the brain. Musk has also suggested users could eventually summon Teslas using their Neuralink implants, and stated he plans to eventually receive the implant.
Why it took Neuralink so long to begin human trials
Although…
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