Elon Musk’s brain implant startup, Neuralink Corp., is making strides towards its goal of allowing people to manipulate external devices using their thoughts. The company has initiated the process of recruiting patients for a clinical trial aimed at individuals with quadriplegia caused by cervical spinal cord injuries or ALS. The primary objective of the trial is to assess the safety and efficacy of Neuralink’s innovative technology.
Currently, Neuralink’s primary focus is to enable users to control a computer cursor or keyboard through their thoughts. While Elon Musk has proposed more ambitious applications, such as rapid language learning or telepathic communication, the ultimate aim is to provide assistance to people with brain damage. Other companies, like Synchron Inc., have also delved into this field; however, they utilize a different approach, inserting the device through blood vessels instead of directly into the brain.
With a valuation now exceeding $5 billion, Neuralink has obtained initial approval from the FDA for its clinical trial and secured approval from an undisclosed hospital where the surgeries will be conducted. However, the road to extensive trials and widespread usage may be lengthy, as advancements in this domain historically require several years of development, as noted by Professor Victor Krauthamer from George Washington University.
This article is 95% likely to be based on factual news, considering that it provides information about Neuralink’s objectives, the planned clinical trials, and the regulatory approvals obtained. The author, Caleb Naysmith, reports on the company’s progress without exhibiting any discernible political bias. Nonetheless, approximately 5% of the article contains speculative content regarding the future of Neuralink and the broader field of brain-computer interfaces.
