Elon Musk unveils brain microchip to let humans ‘merge with computers’


“A monkey has been able to control a computer with his brain,” CEO Musk says of his startup’s brain-machine interface.

Neuralink plans to test its brain machine interface technology with four of its N1 chips installed under patients’ skin.






On Tuesday evening, Neuralink, a company in which Musk has invested $100 million, was expected to detail the baby steps it has taken toward that goal. Neuralink planned to describe a “sewing machine-like” robot that can implant ultrathin threads deep into the brain.


The company claims the system will eventually be capable of reading and writing vast amounts of information. But as with many of Musk’s other ventures, like spaceships or futuristic tunnels, one of the biggest challenges may be for his scientists to match his grand vision.




In a briefing Monday, Neuralink executives acknowledged they had a “long way to go” before they could begin to offer a commercial service. But they were ready to discuss their work publicly. Musk was not at the meeting.

Neuralink’s technology is based around implanting electrodes into people’s brain tissue though ultra thin “threads”, which would be connected to chips and wires placed under the skin of the head. 

Those chips would then be linked to a removable “pod”, which could sit behind the ear, and connect wirelessly with other devices. 

This would allow information from the brain to be fed back directly to smartphones or computers, and would mean thoughts and emotions could be used to control those devices. 

Elon Musk, who co-founded the business, says this could make it possible for people to communicate through their brains in future – essentially a telepathy. 

It could also allow for brains to be stimulated by the chips itself, although the company said understanding these signals would take time for the brain. “It’s a long process. It’s like learning to touch type or play piano,” Neuralink president and co-founder Max Hodak  said. 

For now, the company’s focus is medical, though, and is on helping paralysed patients communicate through their smartphones and computers.

It is hoping to test on humans next year. 

Author: Philani Veba

Philani is an immigration and politics journalists with more than 7 years experience. On Alberta 365 News he covers Immigration and Political Stories.

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