Elon Musk’s Brain Chip For Restoring Sight To The Blind Has Been Approved

Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup, has been granted the FDA’s “breakthrough device” designation for its experimental implant, Blindsight, which aims to restore vision in individuals with complete or partial blindness, even those with non-functional optic nerves.

Neuralink announced this milestone on its X page, encouraging people to join their Patient Registry and explore career opportunities.

The FDA’s breakthrough designation is reserved for medical devices that tackle life-threatening conditions, speeding up their development and evaluation. Musk also shared this update on his X platform.

“The Blindsight device from Neuralink will enable even those who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to see.

“Provided the visual cortex is intact, it will even enable those who have been blind from birth to see for the first time.

“To set expectations correctly, the vision will be at first be low resolution, like Atari graphics, but eventually it has the potential to be better than natural vision and enable you to see in infrared, ultraviolet or even radar wavelengths, like Geordi La Forge.” Musk wrote on X.com.

Neuralink, a pioneering neurotechnology company co-founded by visionary entrepreneur Elon Musk in 2016, is revolutionizing the treatment of neurological disorders. At the forefront of innovation, Neuralink specializes in developing cutting-edge brain-computer interfaces designed to transform lives.

The company’s groundbreaking technology involves a brain implant capable of reading neural signals and transmitting them wirelessly to external devices, such as computers and smartphones. This remarkable advancement enables seamless communication between the human brain and digital devices.

Taking its innovative spirit a step further, Neuralink is developing an implant that empowers paralyzed individuals to control digital devices solely with their thoughts. This technology has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for those with mobility impairments.

To validate the efficacy of its device, Neuralink is conducting a clinical trial involving three participants with spinal cord injuries. This rigorous testing phase aims to assess the technology’s ability to improve the lives of individuals living with debilitating neurological conditions.

In a remarkable breakthrough, Neuralink successfully implanted its brain-computer interface in a second patient in August 2024.

This milestone achievement enabled the individual to control video games and create intricate 3D designs using only their thoughts, paving the way for unprecedented possibilities in the realm of neurological treatment and recovery.