Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has once again made headlines in the technology world with his company Neuralink’s latest project, Blindsight. Musk announced that this brain implant has successfully restored sight in monkeys and has the potential to surpass human vision in the future.
Neuralink, known for its development of brain-computer interfaces, has previously introduced products like Telepathy, which allows users to control computers with their minds. Blindsight represents a significant advancement in this technology, with Musk claiming that the implant can not only restore sight in blind individuals but also eventually offer visual resolution surpassing normal human vision.
Although the initial visual resolution is compared to early video game graphics, Musk believes that it will greatly improve over time. He emphasized the safety of the implant during testing, stating that no monkeys were injured or killed by the device.
This development comes after the FDA approved Neuralink’s first clinical trial last year. The procedure involves inserting delicate microwires into a brain region controlling movement intention, enabling the implant to record and transmit brain signals for decoding. The implant is powered by a wireless-charging battery.
While Musk’s promise to “cure blindness” has garnered global attention, some questions remain unanswered regarding the specifics of Blindsight’s functioning and its application in humans. Despite the potential of this technology, practical and ethical challenges must be addressed before widespread implementation.
As the possibility of restoring or surpassing human vision emerges, the impact of Blindsight could be groundbreaking not only for the visually impaired but also for the field of medical science as a whole.