In this universe of technological innovation and constant progression, few names are as famous as Elon Musk's. He is the richest man in the world and his journey in making Tesla and lots of ambitious projects successful brands is an inspiration. Among his ambitious projects stands Neuralink, a project which aims to merge the powerful human brain with a computer using a chip. This chip will reach heights in the field of artificial intelligence, medicine and communication.
Neuralink was conceptualised by Elon Musk in 2016 with a team of only seven scientists and engineers. With an estimated value of now 5 billion dollars, Neuralink promises paralyzed, amputees and people with quadriplegia, paraplegia, vision loss or hearing loss to regain sensory functions and increase human cognition.With advanced science and technology, this chip can detect neural activity and work through the network of neurons and electrodes in your brain which will facilitate communication. Though the price of the chip has not been officially announced by Neuralink, Bloomberg has estimated the price to be close to $10,500.
This implant will be tested on neurological patients by fitting it underneath the skin of a person, which will smooth the way for a two-way communication between the paralyzed human and the chip. It is wireless and easily rechargeable which will allow the patients to use it wherever and whenever seamlessly. While it may be years before it will be out in the market, ready for use, Neuralink has made a lot of progress, including Elon Musk claiming that a patient was able to move a mouse of the computer with their brain.
"Progress is good and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with no ill effects that we are aware of. The patient is able to move a mouse around the screen just by thinking,"
— Elon Musk
Currently, physicians are still trying and testing this product. Its potential to enhance human capabilities and advance healthcare is immense!
However, when it comes to any new technological product, misuse and privacy is a big issue. Additionally, this chip is inserted in the intricate neural networks of the brain. It can be lethal and dangerous if even one chip is manhandled which shows the technical hurdles it may face in the future. ‘Wired’ claims that one of the Neuralink chips implanted into a female macaque (monkey) ruptured her brain, causing her to die a torturous death.
Nonetheless, Elon Musk and his team remain undeterred in their dream project. All in all, Elon Musk’s Neuralink serves as a beacon of hope for paralyzed people hoping to interact and grow.
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