30-1-2024 (SAN FRANCISCO) Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Neuralink, announced on Monday that the first human patient has received an implant from the brain-chip startup and is currently recovering well. Musk shared this update in a post on the social media platform X, expressing optimism about the initial results, which indicate promising neuron spike detection.
Last year, the US Food and Drug Administration granted clearance to Neuralink to conduct its first trial, allowing them to test their implant on humans. The company’s first product, named Telepathy according to Musk’s separate post on X, aims to create a wireless brain-computer interface. The primary goal of Neuralink’s PRIME study, a trial for this interface, is to evaluate the safety of the implant and surgical robot.
The study specifically focuses on assessing the functionality of the interface, which enables individuals with quadriplegia or paralysis of all four limbs to control devices using their thoughts. Detailed information about the study can be found on the company’s website. Neuralink initiated the recruitment process for the study trial back in September.
At present, the startup has not responded to a request from Reuters for additional details regarding the recent development. However, Neuralink has faced calls for scrutiny concerning its safety protocols. Just earlier this month, Reuters reported that the company was fined for violating US Department of Transportation (DOT) rules pertaining to the movement of hazardous materials.
In November of last year, four US lawmakers urged the US Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether Musk committed securities fraud by allegedly misleading investors about the safety of a brain implant being developed by Neuralink.
