Elon Musk's Neuralink to give demo on Nov. 30. Here's what to expect.
By: Bailey Schulz
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Elon Musk's Neuralink - the startup working on technology that allows humans to control computers with their thoughts - is set to showcase a "show and tell" event this Wednesday.
Cofounded by Musk in 2016, the startup plans to implant devices in human brains to treat neurological disorders such as quadriplegia, the paralysis of all four limbs.
Neuralink has so far been sparse with details on what we can expect from Wednesday's event. During its last demo in 2021, the company showed a video of a monkey playing the video game Pong with a Neuralink device.
The update is set to begin Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET. Neuralink did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Neuralink: Elon Musk's Neuralink plans to implant chips in human brains to treat neural disorders
What will Neuralink do?
Neuralink is working to build a brain-computer interface (BCI) that lets people control a computer or mobile device wirelessly with their mind "just by thinking about it," according to its website.
The technology, if it does come to fruition, could be especially promising for people with paralysis and other neurological disorders.
Does Elon Musk still own Neuralink?
Musk was one of eight founding members who launched Neuralink in 2016. Since then, all but one of Musk's co-founders have left the company, according to Reuters.
The startup is the fifth company Musk runs, along with Twitter, Tesla, SpaceX and The Boring Company.
What will Neuralink do to your brain?
Neuralink's plan is to have a surgical robotic insert small and flexible threads that contain electrodes into areas of the brain that control movement. The threads are connected to an implant dubbed "the link" that processes and transmits neural signals.
A Neuralink app would allow users with the implant to control their keyboard and mouse with just their thoughts.
"Our goal is to build a system that is safe, fully implanted and cosmetically invisible, available at home or out and about, and usable without assistance," Neuralink's website reads.
Scientists have already created BCI devices (people have used implants to play Pong and control robotic arms) but Neuralink's website says its technology would differ by offering more electrodes that "provide unprecedented scale."
Its flexible wires - which are less likely to cause damage - could also set it apart from other devices.
Ultimately, Musk said at a 2019 event, the company wants to "achieve a sort of symbiosis with artificial intelligence." Musk has also discussed the possibility of telepathic communication with the device.
Is Neuralink FDA approved?
No, Neuralink has yet to gain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to implant its technology into humans.
Neuralink: Elon Musk touts brain implant technology to treat health conditions, enable 'telepathy'
Does Neuralink test with monkeys?
The company works with monkeys and pigs, according to its website.
Earlier this year, the animal rights nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine filed a lawsuit against the University of California, Davis for the "invasive and deadly brain experiments" it conducted on 23 monkeys for Neuralink.
The committee accused university staff of failing to provide dying monkeys with adequate veterinary care and not providing for the psychological well-being of the animals.
A blog post from Neuralink said that it has euthanized eight animals. The company said those were due to suspected infections from the devices, and one was due to device failure.
The company says it is "absolutely committed to working with animals in the most humane and ethical way possible" and says the facilities and care at the university continue to meet federally mandated standards.
What can we expect to see Wednesday?
Details on what we can expect from Neuralink Wednesday are scarce.
Some people on social media have speculated that the company's 14-second tweet - which shows large green letters slowly typing out "please join us for show and tell" - was typed using Neuralink technology. The company has yet to confirm.
When will Neuralink be available?
Neuralink executives in 2019 said they were aiming for their first human clinical study in 2020. In April, Musk said the company was on track to conduct its first trial application of Neuralink in a human by the end of 2022.
Neuralink has yet to say when it expects to begin trials on humans, but in January said it was looking to hire a clinical trial director. According to its website, it has yet to begin clinical trials.
The company plans to focus on developing medical devices before rolling out a product with non-medical applications for consumers.
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Uh, a big ol nope from me...
I wonder how many dead monkeys are thrown in the dumpster...
What Will Neuralink Do?
Subconsciously repeat “buy a Tesla” in the back of your mind, until you buy a Tesla.
I noticed it said that every initial investor has left the company except Musk. Not exactly a confidence builder on a company that wants to do brain surgery.
There is still one other left. From the article..............