Elon Musk’s neural interface technology company, Neuralink, although not known to many, may be the beginning of something remarkable for all. In 2016, Neuralink was founded due to the belief that a small device, once implanted into the brain, would be able to translate thoughts into actions. For instance, people would have the ability to operate smartphones and computers by thinking as opposed to using our senses (I.E. touching). If successful, the gadget has the potential to be a huge advancement in the neuroscience department, possibly even helping people with brain diseases. However, despite the promises made and the glimpses that were shown, many issues have emerged. From critics to lawsuits, Neuralink has had to make major adjustments in the past few years.
The Science Behind Neuralink
Neuralink’s main focus is to develop a sophisticated chip that can be embedded into a human’s skull, allowing the person to be able to interact with machines using only their brain. Furthermore, they are building a robot that will place the chip in the patient, as the procedure would be too difficult for humans. But first, in order to understand how Neuralink works, we must understand how the brain communicates. The brain communicates through nerve cells called neurons (hence the name of the company). In our brain, neurons connect with each other to receive and transmit information received from our senses, a process that uses chemical signals called neurotransmitters. Fortunately, communication between neurons (and the subsequent usage of neurotransmitters) generates an electrical field, giving humans the freedom to monitor them through electrodes. Neuralink’s chip (N1)uses these electrodes. The N1 is a 8mm chip that has multiple wires housing electrodes. These wires are thinner than a strand of hair and are used to detect and record electrical spikes in the brain, allowing for them to be translated into an algorithm that machines can read. Currently, the tech company uses a Bluetooth Radio, which is subject to change in the future. Ultimately, the company’s goal is to make a wireless chip.
Issues with Neuralink
Despite the progress the company has made, they have also faced many setbacks. In early 2021, the company’s co-founder and biomedical engineer, Max Hodak, announced his departure from Neuralink. Although no specific reason was given, many employees have come out to say that the relationship between Hodak and Musk had become strained after the company fell behind on Elon’s many ambitious goals. Max is currently the CEO of Science Corp, another biology-driven tech company with a focus on neuroscience. Another issue the company has been facing is lawsuits. In early 2022, PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) filed a lawsuit for animal abuse against the tech company. Despite the company starting out with 23 monkeys as test subjects, only 8 remain, meaning a grand total of 15 have died. PCRM believes that the company’s brain implants have caused suffering and have led to the deaths of many innocent animals. Although Musk has claimed multiple times that they would start human trials soon, it seems Neuralink still has a long way to go.
Neuralink’s purpose is ambitious and could be a big step in the neuroscience engineering department. However, it is obvious that the company’s goals will not easily be reached without perseverance and a good lawyer. With all that being said, Neuralink is still one of the top contenders in the race for human brain-implants.
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