After the successful Neuralink implant on animals, the world has been looking forward to when the startup with start implanting its brain chip on humans. On Sunday (Jan. 28), Elon Musk’s company Neuralink successfully carried out the first-ever brain chip implant in a first human patient. Must later say that the patient is recovering well from the implant.
“Initial results show promising neuron spike detection,” Musk said in a post on the social media platform X on Monday (Jan. 29).
In simple terms, Spikes are activities created by neurons. The National Institute of Health describes these spikes as cells that use electrical and chemical signals to transmit information around the brain and the body as well.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had already given Neuralink clearance to carry out its first trial of test implants on humans in 2023. This move by the agency is a crucial step to help the company accomplish its goal of assisting patients experiencing paralysis and other neurological conditions.
Neuralink officially announced that it has received approval for recruitment of the first human trial in September 2023.
How Neuralink Implant Brain Chip on Humans
The startup often uses a robot to surgically carry out the brain-computer interface (BCI) implant in the part of the brain that controls the intention to move. Neuralink revealed that its previous goal was to enable people to control a computer cursor or keyboard by using only their thoughts.
However, the company has included other advanced tasks in its initial goal. Neuralink said that the implant comes with ultra-fine threads that help in transmitting signals to participant’s brains. Musk revealed on X that the first product of the company would be called Telepathy. The company focuses on testing wireless brain-computer interfaces to study the safety of the implant and surgical robot.
What This Move Meant for The Future of Humans Outside Earth
Elon Musk started SpaceX in 2002 to join the commercial space race and also step up a colony on Mars. The tech billionaire is a huge fan of making humans a multi-planetary species. However, on the surface of hostile celestial bodies like the moon or Mars, humans will need to have extra abilities to survive and live in such an environment.
Musk also founded Neuralink to make humans smarter and to relieve patients suffering from paralysis and other neurological conditions. On Jan. 28, the company completed the first human brain chip implant. A day later, Musk announced on X that the patient was recovering well. This is good news for explorers hoping to reach Mars someday.
In a few decades when space exploration becomes more advanced, astronauts and civilians will use the Neuralink implant to remotely connect with more sophisticated computing systems and accomplish more mission goals within a given timeframe. This Neuralink implant will surely become more sophisticated in the future to give astronauts more abilities to survive on the hostile surface of Mars and beyond.
