How long Neuralink’s brain chip trial is lets us know when we could expect full rollout
Andie Reeves
Neuralink is one step closer to rolling out its brain implants.
The company has received the go-ahead to open up the application process to find a select few volunteers.
After revealing how long the clinical trial will take, we now have an idea of when we can expect the implant to be available.
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Neuralink is leading the race to create the most successful brain-computer interface (BCI).
This is a system that converts brain signals into commands that control a device, in this case, a computer cursor or a keyboard.
Basically, you’ll be able to type and navigate a laptop using thoughts alone.
Neuralink has confirmed it has received permission to conduct in-human clinical studies but has yet to share when we can expect these chips to be available to the public.
But thanks to the online patient registry we can roughly figure out when that will be.
Hopeful applicants need to be at least 22 years old and have quadriplegia or paralysis in all four limbs.
They’ll also need to be available to participate for 18 months to test the safety of the technology and its functionality.
Neuralink has been developing its implant for years, which is no bigger than a coin and cosmetically invisible once implanted.
The implant will be placed by a robot into the part of the brain that controls movement intention.
One attached, it will read movement signals from the brain and transmit them to an app that decodes them
The company hopes that it will eventually help people with paralysis to control tech devices.
One of Neuralink’s competitors, Synchron, has shown how its implant enables people to shop, email and do online banking using just their thoughts.
Elon Musk has stated that he aims for Neuralink’s chip to go beyond these ordinary tasks too.
“Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer,” Musk said.
“That is the goal.”
Neuralink says that the study will take six years to complete, after which the implant will be available to the public.
This means we could see these hitting the shelves within the next few years.
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