Elon Musk has confirmed that Neuralink devices are close to being ready for human hosting.
Elon Musk hosted a Neuralink Show and Tell Event on November 30 at the neurotechnology company’s headquarters in California. Musk said he is “confident” that the biotech chips developed by Neuralink will be ready for human trials within six months.
“We are now confident that the Neuralink device is ready for humans, so timing is a function of working through the FDA approval process,” said Musk via Twitter after the event.
The Neuralink Corporation is a biotechnology company co-founded by Elon Musk, Max Hodak, and Paul Merolla. The company specializes in making brain-to-computer interface technology for medical purposes.
Neuralink has been developing a coin-sized chip known as the Link. This technology would be implanted into a subject’s brain to monitor and potentially stimulate brain activity. It consists of a microchip and extremely small wires threaded through a patient’s skull directly into the brain.
The first application of this chip is said to provide people afflicted with paralysis of all four limbs, or quadriplegia, the ability to control computers and mobile devices directly with their thoughts. Later applications include restoring motor, sensory, and visual functions and treating neurological disorders.
Neuralink has tested this technology on primates. One was shown manipulating a game with its mind.
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) filed a lawsuit against Neuralink on the grounds that the company was using the monkeys in inhumane experiments conducted at the University of California.
The PCRM explained in a press release that an investigation had yielded photographic evidence of these experiments.
Neuralink responded to the allegations about the nature of the experiments, denying inhumane treatment.
“While the facilities and care at UC Davis did and continue to meet federally mandated standards, we absolutely wanted to improve upon these standards as we transitioned animals to our in-house facilities,” said Neuralink.
The company also highlighted the need to test on animals before moving on to ethical human trials.
“We also look forward to a day when animals are no longer necessary for medical research,” said Neuralink on their website. “Yet our society currently relies on medical breakthroughs to cure diseases, prevent the spread of viruses, and create technology that can change how people are able to interact with the world.”