2024 has been a record year for Elon Musk brain implant company Neuralink. With two successful human trials of their brain-computer interface, Neuralink has quickly moved to the forefront of what will become the most important technological revolution in human history. But this is still just the first step towards a massively ambitious goal set out by Elon Musk. Everything that has been learned at Neuralink over the past year needs to be leveraged. to go even further into science fiction for 2025. To understand how Neuralink works, we need to dive into the very fabric of our brains.
The brain is made up of billions of neurons, tiny yet complex cells that communicate with each other through electrical signals called action potentials. These signals are how your brain controls everything from moving your hand to remembering what you ate yesterday. The challenge for Neuralink is translating these natural electrical signals into something a computer can understand.
That's where the N1 device comes in. It's designed to act as a translator, a bridge between biology and technology. The N1 implant is about the size of a coin and contains a number of advanced components, including a microprocessor, Bluetooth transmitter, and a rechargeable battery.
But the real magic lies in the ultra-thin wires connected to this device. Each wire is thinner than a human hair and contains multiple electrodes capable of detecting the faintest neural signals. These wires are inserted directly into the motor cortex, the part of the brain responsible for movement. The insertion is performed by Neuralink's R1 robot, a high-precision surgical system that works like a sewing machine.
The R1 robot uses advanced imaging and algorithms to avoid blood vessels. and ensure the threads reach the necessary depth. Each thread has 16 electrodes, giving the N1 implant a total of 1024 connection points to read neuron activity.
Here's how it works. When you think about moving your hand, neurons in your motor cortex fire specific patterns of electrical signals. The electrodes detect these signals, and the N1 device translates them into digital code. This code is then sent wirelessly via Bluetooth to an external device like a smartphone or computer. Imagine sitting at your desk looking at a computer screen.
Instead of using a mouse, you simply think about moving the cursor. Neuralink decodes your intention, and the cursor moves exactly where you want it to go, no hands required. Now this isn't just theory.
Neuralink has already demonstrated this with animals, and now even human beings. In 2021, Neuralink showed the world a monkey playing Pong using only his mind. First, the monkey used a joystick to control the paddle. while Neuralink recorded the associated neural activity. Once the device learned the neural patterns, the joystick was disconnected.
The monkey continued to play, now controlling the paddle entirely through thought. This same principle has been scaled up for human use. Inside the N1 device is a tiny computer capable of processing data in real time.
It's encased in a biocompatible silicone shell and sits flush with the skull under the scalp. Once the surgery is complete, there is no visible sign of the implant. To power this advanced system, the N1 has a lithium-ion battery that lasts around 8 hours on a single charge. Charging is wireless and as simple as placing an inductive coil on your head, just like charging your smartwatch.
This technology isn't limited to computers. By connecting to smartphones, Neuralink enables users to control any Bluetooth-enabled device. Adjusting your thermostat, locking your doors, or even turning on your lights, all of it can be done with a single thought.
At its core, Neuralink is rewriting how we interact with machines. It's not just about controlling devices. It's about unlocking the full potential of our brains and creating a seamless connection between human thought and the digital world. And this is only the first step. Meet Nolan Arbaugh, a 29-year-old former athlete and Texas A&M University student.
In 2016, a diving accident left him paralyzed from the shoulders down, changing his life forever. In January 2024, Nolan became the first human to receive Neuralink's N1 brain implant, marking a significant milestone in the company's short history. The surgical procedure, performed at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, involved implanting the N1 device into Nolan's motor cortex. This area of the brain is responsible for voluntary movements. The surgery was completed in approximately 30 minutes, utilizing Neuralink's R1 robot to insert ultra-thin electrode threads into the brain tissue.
Post-surgery, Nolan demonstrated remarkable capabilities. He could control a computer cursor with his thoughts, allowing him to play games like chess in Civilization VI. He described the experience as like using the force, highlighting the intuitive nature of the technology.
During weekdays, Nolan spends up to eight hours a day contributing to Neuralink research sessions. On weekends, his personal and recreational use of the implant can exceed up to 10 hours per day. He's been able to reach up to 69 hours per week of brain-computer interface with the N1 chip.
Neuralink engineers have confirmed that the current device has a battery life of about four to five hours. and a charging time of around 45 minutes. They said that Noland has been keeping an inductive charging coil tucked underneath the beanie that he's often seen wearing so that he can quickly and independently recharge his device.
Nerling says that Noland is already moving his computer cursor at speeds beyond the ability of a person using a mouse, something Noland has demonstrated often with his livestreams on the X platform. However, the journey hasn't been without challenges. In the weeks following the implant, approximately 85% of the electrode threads retracted from Nolan's brain tissue, essentially cutting off some of the communication between the brain and the implant. Several factors contributed to this issue.
One primary cause was the presence of air pockets inside the skull, often referred to as pneumocephalus. These air bubbles can form as a result of the surgical procedure. Neuralink believes that an air pocket moved from the front of the brain to underneath their implant site.
which pushed the brain away from the implant and tightened the threads. Combined with a greater movement of the brain than expected, most of the electrodes were dislodged from Nolan's cortex. Neuralink addressed these challenges by refining their algorithms to optimize the remaining functional electrodes.
Nolan's performance improved, and he has continued to use the device effectively. In June 2024, Neuralink expanded its human trials by implanting the N1 device into a second patient referred to as Alex. Alex, who also suffered a spinal cord injury, has been using the implant to control digital devices.
Notably, he has been able to design 3D objects using CAD software and play fast-paced action games like Counter-Strike, demonstrating the versatility of the Neuralink device. Comparing the first and second human surgeries reveals significant improvements. In the initial procedure with Noland, the threads were inserted at a depth of up to 3 to 5 millimeters.
For the second patient, Neuralink increased the insertion depth to 8mm. This adjustment aimed to anchor the threads more securely within the brain tissue, reducing the likelihood of retraction. These trials represent significant steps toward Neuralink's goal of restoring autonomy to individuals with neurological conditions.
While challenges remain, the progress made with Noland and Alex offers a glimpse into a future where brain-computer interfaces could transform lives. Neuralink's advancements are not just technological marvels. They hold profound implications for individuals with disabilities, offering new avenues for independence and interaction with the world.
The Telepathy application enables users to control digital devices, such as smartphones, computers, and smart home systems, using only their thoughts. For individuals with mobility impairments, this means navigating the internet, sending messages, or adjusting home settings without physical movement. For those with conditions like ALS, which severely limit muscle control, telepathy offers a lifeline to communication. By translating neural activity into text or speech, users can express themselves in real time, bridging the gap that their condition has imposed.
Beyond mobility, Neuralink is pioneering Blindsight, a technology aimed at restoring vision to the blind. Elon Musk has described Blindsight as a device that bypasses damaged optic nerves by directly stimulating the visual cortex, creating visual perceptions. In September 2024, the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration granted blindsight breakthrough device status, expediting its development. The practical benefits of blindsight are immense. Individuals who have lost their sight could regain the ability to perceive their surroundings, recognize faces, and navigate spaces independently.
This restoration of vision would not only enhance daily living, but also open up new opportunities for education, employment, and social interaction. These innovations represent a significant leap toward a future where technology and biology seamlessly integrate to overcome physical limitations. Neuralink stands at the forefront of brain-computer interface technology with ambitious plans that span the immediate future and extend into visionary long-term goals. In the near term, Neuralink is expanding its human trials following the initial successes with Nolan Arbaugh and Alex. Elon Musk has said many times in 2024 that Neuralink would have 10 human patients by the end of the year, but as far as the public knows, there have only been two procedures so far.
This number is projected to increase to 27 in 2025 and 79 in 2026. These trials will focus on refining the device's safety and efficacy, particularly for individuals with spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders. To support this expansion, Neuralink is enhancing its surgical capabilities. The company plans to scale up its R1 robotic system to perform multiple surgeries per day.
This scalability is crucial for transitioning from experimental trials to broader clinical applications. Looking further ahead, Neuralink envisions a future where its technology could render traditional smartphones obsolete. Elon Musk has suggested that a brain-computer interface might someday overtake phones and computers as our personal tech of choice, enabling users to communicate and access information directly through thought.
Beyond replacing smartphones, Neuralink aims to enhance human interaction with artificial intelligence. By providing a high-bandwidth interface between the brain and digital systems, users could control AI-driven devices, access vast information databases, and even develop new cognitive abilities. This integration could lead to a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI, where technology augments human intelligence and capabilities. While these prospects are still on the horizon, Neuralink's ongoing research and development efforts are steadily paving the way. The company's commitment to innovation and ethical considerations will be paramount as it navigates the complexities of merging human cognition with advanced technology.
Of course, this is just the beginning of the beginning for Neuralink and neurotechnology as a whole. We finally got access to computer hardware that is small enough and capable enough to make brain implants and cyborg enhancements a widespread, accessible possibility. Where we go from here and how difficult the road proves to be, that's just something we have to figure out along the way.