Elon Musk’s NEURALINK
Out of the many eccentric projects that Musk is currently working on, Neuralink seems to be working on something straight out of a science fiction film. If Neuralink accomplishes its goal, the company could end up ushering in a new age of “superhuman cognition”. But what exactly is the Neuralink company working on?
What is Neuralink?
Neuralink is a device that will first be used to help paraplegics with simple tasks such as using an iPhone and making mouse clicks on a computer — by making no physical movement. To be clear, human trials have not yet started; Elon Musk and his team are optimistic about beginning by the end of 2020, but they anchor that timeline with the fact that FDA approval is not easy. So far, Neuralink prototypes have been tested on rodents and apparently even a monkey.
Brain-machine interface? What?
Yep, they are precisely what they sound like — systems information into commands capable of controlling that connect up the human brain to external technology. BCI devices translate neuronal external software or hardware such as a computer or robotic arm.
How does it work?
The N1, a 4mm-square chip, is implanted into the skull. Attached to the chip are wires thinner than a human hair, which reach out into the brain. These threads are placed close to important parts of the brain and are able to detect messages as they are relayed between neurons, recording each impulse and stimulating their own. Neuralink says the N1 is able to connect with 1,000 different brain cells, and that a patient might have as many as 10 N1 chips implanted.
The chips connect wirelessly to a wearable device that hooks over the user’s ear, much like a hearing aid, and contains a Bluetooth radio and a battery.
Neuralink says the first devices will be implanted via traditional neurosurgery, but eventually the chips will be inserted safely and virtually painlessly through small incisions by a robot surgeon
Musk has stated that the process would be virtually painless, no different than getting LASIK surgery.
Neuralink stated in a paper that they have built a neurosurgical robot capable of inserting six threads (192 electrodes) per minute. Each thread can be individually inserted with micron precision .These Robot surgeons are currently in the Development Phase, but musk said that it will be mass produced at the time of launch of neuralink.
And sometimes it might even mean implanting electronic chips into the brain!
This electronic chips are actually groups of minuscule, flexible electrode “threads” implanted into the human brain by a neurosurgical robot. Spooky, isn’t it?
This is the proposed future intends to make; a module that sits outside the head and wirelessly receives information from threads embedded in the brain
How will this happen?
Elon explained on Joe Rogan’s podcast that the device is about one inch in diameter, similar to the face of a smart watch, and is implanted by removing a small chunk of the skull. Here’s a picture of the device!
EXCITED OR SCARED?
These are just the early ambitions Musk has in store for Neuralink.
In the long term, he hopes to develop a device that could enable “symbiosis” between humans and Al. Musk paints a picture in which this technology is common, ushering in a new age where we need to merge with technology to compete as species with artificial intelligence.
Terrifying! What are some of the ethical questions we should be asking ourselves before pursuing a project like this?
Are you excited to see a project like Neuralink? Or does it scare you?
Would you Ever want to try that Chip in your mind?
Comment Your Views And Share This Post With Other Sci-Tech Lovers.
