Elon Musk hopes his company, Neuralink, begins implanting computer chips into human patients next year, starting with spinal cord injury patients.
Musk has long hoped to be able to start testing in humans by 2022. The device is expected to allow patients without control over their limbs to interact with digital devices with similar technology.
As quoted from IFL Science, this technology allows paralyzed people to order shopping, for example, communicate with friends, and surf the website directly by harnessing the power of brain waves.
Previously, earlier this year Neuralink demonstrated that a monkey could play video games using its chip implanted brain. But Musk has since stated that its application to humans has posed significant challenges.
"Neuralink worked well on monkeys, and we actually did a lot of testing and just made sure that the technology was very safe and reliable. The Neuralink device can be safely removed," Musk said in an interview in The Wall Street Journal.
"We hope to soon install this device in our first humans. These people are those who have severe spinal injuries such as tetraplegia, even paralysis. We are waiting for FDA approval to be able to do it next year," he continued.
The chip works by implanting electrodes into the region of the brain that controls the user's movement, which is then connected to a larger array called a link. This arrangement can process, stimulate, and transmit nerve signals.
The link charges via wireless charging from the outside of the head and connects wirelessly to a device that allows the user to control it without traditional touch input.
Neuralink claims that their electrode system works very well. Human hands cannot implant it, so they developed a robotic system to incorporate this technology exactly where it is needed.
"I think we have an opportunity with Neuralink to restore full body function to someone with a spinal cord injury. That means, I think we have a chance to allow someone who can't walk or use their arms to be able to walk again, naturally," Musk continued.
Neuralink is not the only company developing brain interface devices. Last April, a device developed by BrainGate allowed paralyzed people to control computers with just their thoughts, and the results were promising.
Prior to that, most electrode arrays relied on messy wired connections to interact with computers. But BrainGate and Neuralink will rely on wireless connections to make devices more viable for everyday use.
