Elon Musk revealed that a third person has received a Neuralink brain implant, showcasing advancements in brain-computer interface technology.
During a recent interview streamed on his platform, Musk said, “We’ve got three humans with Neuralinks and all are working well.” It’s pretty cool to think about how far they’ve come since the first implant about a year ago. They’ve made upgrades, like adding more electrodes and improving battery life.
Musk didn’t spill any details about this latest recipient, but he did share updates on the first two. One of them, who has a spinal cord injury, has been using the device to play video games and even learn 3-D design. The first patient, also paralyzed, has been enjoying video games and chess thanks to the implant.
Neuralink isn’t the only player in this field, though. There are tons of other companies and research groups working on similar tech. Last year, some studies showed how brain-computer interfaces helped people with ALS communicate better.
There are over 45 trials happening right now in the U.S. aimed at treating brain disorders and injuries. Rajesh Rao from the University of Washington mentioned that Neuralink’s approach is unique because they use a robot for the surgery, which is a first.
Still, Musk acknowledged that other companies are making strides too. Some are using less invasive methods or combining recording with stimulation. It’s a competitive space, and we’re all waiting to see which approach will be the most effective.
Marco Baptista from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation called this tech “very exciting” for people with paralysis. He believes clinical trials will help determine the best methods moving forward.
Neuralink got the green light from U.S. regulators to start testing its device on people. While most medical devices can hit the market without extensive studies, high-risk ones like this need special approval from the FDA.
Dr. Rita Redberg, a cardiologist, explained that the FDA is involved in every step of the process to ensure safety. Plus, any research involving people has to go through an ethical review board to make sure everything is above board.
