Elon Musk demonstrated the progress made in his drive to develop an interface between the human brain and computer devices by using pigs implanted with devices produced by Neuralink, a tech firm being funded by Elon since 2016.
The demonstration saw the presentation of three pigs. One was untreated, another had a Neuralink device dubbed ‘the link’ installed for two months while the third pig had a device installed and removed to demonstrate the safety and versatility of the new technology.
The Tesla boss stated that the third pig showed promise in the ability to take in upgrades to the hardware as better versions are produced over time.
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The Neuralink device which is to be implanted in the Skull, has been made small enough to be hidden by the human hair after installation.
According to Elon Musk, the pigs were used in the demonstration in order to attract the right brains to Neuralink to help develop the interface technology between the human brain and computer programs.
“The main purpose is to convince great people to come work at Neuralink and help us bring the product to fruition, make it affordable and reliable and such that anyone who wants one can have one,” he said.
Speaking about the human brain and computer interface device, Elon said a smartphone Bluetooth can connect to the device in the brain.
“For the initial device, it’s read and write in every channel with about 1,024 channels, all-day battery life that recharges overnight and has quite a long range, so you can have the range being to your phone,” Musk said.
Neuralink was founded in 2016 primarily to develop a new interface technology between the human brain and a computer.
Elon Musk said the new device which is a chip implanted in the human skull, will be able to restore limb function, improve human movement, resolve eyesight and hearing issues and help with major diseased like Parkinson.
At the presentation, Elon Musk announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted a Breakthrough Device designation for the product back in July. He also revealed that clinical trials will soon be conduction ending approval and more testing.
The trials will focus on people suffering from the after effects of cervical cord injury.