Elon Musk’s Neuralink, a startup focused on brain-chip technology, over the weekend, successfully implanted its first human patient with a chip. Musk reported that the initial results indicate promising neuron spike detection, while explaining that the chip allows users to control their phone, computer, and almost any device through mere thoughts.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted clearance for Neuralink’s human trial in the previous year, a significant step in the company’s mission to assist patients dealing with paralysis and neurological conditions. The startup’s PRIME Study, utilizing a wireless brain-computer interface, aims to assess the safety of the implant and surgical robot used in the procedure.
Despite the company’s achievements, it has faced scrutiny over safety concerns, including a recent fine for violating transportation rules. In response to calls for transparency, Neuralink is yet to provide additional details.
The company, valued at approximately $5 billion in June of the previous year, is also under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission following allegations that Musk misled investors about the technology’s safety.
Musk defended the technology, claiming that no monkeys had died due to Neuralink implants and that precautions were taken in selecting “terminal” monkeys to minimize risks to healthy ones. The first product from Neuralink, Musk revealed, will be called Telepathy.
