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Neuralink was founded in 2016 by Elon Musk and a team of neuroscientists and engineers. The company's immediate goal is to develop implantable brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that can help people with severe paralysis regain the ability to communicate and interact with digital devices. The longer-term goal, as Musk has described it, is to enable a "symbiosis with AI" — a high-bandwidth neural connection that could allow humans to interact with computers at the speed of thought rather than the speed of typing.

The N1 chip, the company's first implantable device, measures roughly 23mm in diameter — smaller than a large coin. It contains 1,024 electrode threads, each thinner than a human hair, that extend into the brain tissue and record neural signals from neurons. The chip processes these signals wirelessly and transmits decoded commands to an external device via Bluetooth. Battery recharging happens inductively through the scalp.

The PRIME (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) study began in January 2024 with the first human implantation. The initial patient, Noland Arbaugh, who is paralyzed from the shoulders down following a diving accident, has demonstrated the ability to control a computer cursor, play chess online, and use design software — all purely through thought. His results have exceeded the company's expectations and generated significant media attention.

The R1 surgical robot performs the implantation procedure. Human neurosurgeons cannot manually place sub-millimeter electrode threads with the precision required, so Neuralink developed a robotic surgery system specifically for this purpose. The robot can implant the device in approximately two hours with minimal trauma to surrounding tissue. Patients are discharged from the hospital within days.

Beyond motor control applications, Neuralink has two additional device programs. Blindsight targets the visual cortex, aiming to restore some form of vision to individuals who are blind even if their eyes themselves are non-functional. A third program targets the spine, potentially allowing communication between the brain and paralyzed limbs to bypass damaged neural pathways.

Critics have raised legitimate concerns about the long-term safety of having electronic devices implanted in the brain, including potential for tissue damage, infection, device failure, and cybersecurity risks. Neuralink's ongoing trial data will be crucial for establishing the safety profile needed for broader regulatory approvals.