Elon Musk's Neuralink chip has been given the green light by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin human trials. This means that the company can now implanting its brain computer interface tech into human brains. Such technology allows users to achieve tasks just by "thinking" about, with the scope of helping many people with disabilities.
Neuralink website states that they are "aiming to design a fully implantable, cosmetically invisible brain-computer interface to let you control a computer or mobile device anywhere you go."
The company claims that "micron-scale threads" would be implanted into areas of the brain that control movement in humans.?Each of these threads would be made up on multiple electrodes, all connected to an implant the company calls the "Link." These threads are so fine that they cannot be inserted by the human hand. For this purpose, the company is building a robotic system that can insert these threads where the neurosurgeon wants them to be.
Also read:?Paralysed Man Walks Again With Breakthrough Brain Implant
In December, safety concerns regarding the implant came to light after it was reported that many monkeys died during the trials. A Reuters report claimed that over 1,000 animals died during the experiments. Regardless, in monkeys that were able to live with the implant, we could see them playing video games directly via the chip.
During a TED interview earlier, Elon Musk said that the company wants to make the Neuralink implant upgradable, affordable, and safe. With FDA's approval, they've come closer to this reality. "We are excited to share that we have received the FDA¡¯s approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study!" the company wrote on Twitter.
Also read:?Elon Musk's Neuralink Under Investigation For Animal Deaths From Rushed Testing
"This is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team in close collaboration with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people," it added.
Recruitment is not open yet, and Neuralink will make more details public in the near-future. What do you think about this development? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.