Neuralink, the company founded by Elon Musk, has successfully implanted its third brain chip in a human, marking another significant step in the development of medical technologies aimed at aiding those with spinal cord injuries. The announcement was made during a live-streamed event in Las Vegas, where Musk confirmed that all three implants are functioning well.
The second patient received the Neuralink chip in August 2024, and the device, equipped with 400 electrodes, has shown excellent results. Neuralink has developed these brain implants to allow users to control computers and smartphones directly through brain signals. The device, roughly the size of a coin, is attached to the skull, with thin wires connecting it to the brain.
The first patient, Noland Arbaugh, a 29-year-old man paralyzed below the shoulders due to a diving accident, was able to control a computer and even play video games after the implant was successfully inserted in early 2024. Musk is confident that within a decade, millions of people will benefit from this technology.
Additionally, Neuralink is working on another device called Blindsight, which aims to restore vision to those who were born blind. Initially, the device will provide limited visual capabilities, but in the future, it could enable users to see in ultraviolet and infrared spectrums, offering groundbreaking possibilities for medical technology.