What is Neuralink?

Introduction

Neuralink is a private company founded by sir Elon musk that helps in developing brain chips also called as “the link”. It is a small computer that fits in brain.

This neurotechnology was founded in 2016 which develops the computer chip that is surgically embedded neural-chip implant designed to decode and stimulate brain activity. This proves the advancement of the technology. May be we could also control our negative thoughts using this chip. Neuralink’s technology is capable of recording and decoding neural signals and then transmitting information back to the brain using electrical stimulation.

According to the neuralink official website, each wire contains sensors capable of recording and emitting electrical currents that are so fine and flexible that they can’t be inserted by the human hand. Imagining such an idea is like possible only in sci-fi movies. But now it is possible in real world also. If this project is successful human brains will work like a super computer. I don’t know but most of the smart devices would be useless.   

How does neuralink work?

Neuralink starts with surgery. The coin sized chip called “the link” is gets implanted into your skull through a procedure that’s more futuristic than you have ever imazined. It involves a highly precise robot, steadier than a surgeon’s hand, inserting hair-thin threads into your brain. Also it is impossible to be done using normal surgeon’s hand. This thread starts listening you brain activity.

they can understand the electrical signals your brain fires across. Neurons, the gossipy cells of your brain, communicate through electrical signals. The electrodes on these threads are like tiny spies, picking up on what your neurons are doing. This chatter is what Neuralink aims to understand and translate. Neuralink is decoding the brain activity and trying to recoding the activity.

Importance of neuralink

• The goal of neuralink is to help people with neurological disorders and injuries.
• Monitoring brain activity to detect changes suggestive of conditions like epilepsy, parkinson, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease
• It is the new tool for advance world for studying a brain.
• It further potentially improves memory, processing speed, and overall mental function.
• It prompts discussions about the future of human-AI interaction and the potential for “symbiosis” with artificial intelligence.

Is neuralink has been tested on humans

Yes, neuralink has begun testing its chip on humans. It received FDA approval for human clinical trials in May 2023. The company implanted first brain chip in a human patient on Jan 28, 2024. The first human was 29 years old Noland Arbaugh who became quadriplegic after a diving accident. After the surgery, the patient was reported to be successfully using the implant to control his laptop while lying in bed.

On March 20, 2024, Neuralink introduced Arbaugh in a livestream where he demonstrated his ability to move a cursor on a computer screen, control music, and play chess. It’s important to note that this is still an early-stage clinical trial, and more research is needed to fully assess the safety and efficiancy of the technology. The company has reported that some threads of the device retracted from Arbaugh’s brain, reducing the number of effective electrodes