Elon Musk’s Neuralink startup made headlines this week after announcing the successful implantation of a computer chip in a person’s brain. The news, shared on social media, revealed that the company has made significant progress in the development of brain-computer interface technology.
This groundbreaking achievement is a big step forward in the field of neurotechnology, as it has the potential to benefit individuals who are unable to move or communicate due to various physical impairments. The implant, which is about the size of a coin, contains electrodes that can interpret signals sent by neurons in the brain.
The technology works by allowing individuals to use their thoughts to control external devices such as computers or phones. This is made possible through the decoding of neural signals into action and intent, which can then be communicated wirelessly to external devices.
While the technology is still in its early stages, it has shown promising results in trials with animals. In 2021, Neuralink demonstrated how the technology allowed a monkey named Pager to control a computer cursor with its thoughts and play a game called “mind pong.”
Despite the excitement surrounding this development, experts caution that widespread access to this technology is still a long way off. Dr. Paul Nuyujukian, a professor at Stanford University, emphasized that advancements in this field take time and that technical innovation has only accelerated in the last five to ten years. However, the potential for this technology to revolutionize the lives of individuals with disabilities and serious medical conditions is inspiring further research and development in the field of neural engineering.