There is no need to mythologize Musk's brain-computer interface, Tsinghua University is even more advanced in brain-computer technology research.
Let's take a look at what brain-computer interfaces can help us do, and there are three main stages of brain-computer function.
The first stage is to read the information. Read the information from your brain and then recognize it. It allows people who cannot speak or have limited mobility to control mobile phones or computers through brain-computer interfaces. Musk's brain-computer interface, called Telepathy, is currently at this stage.
The second stage is the control of the limbs. After reading the brain information, the robotic arm is controlled to make corresponding actions. It can enable patients with physical disabilities to achieve mobility. At present, Tsinghua University is at this stage, allowing quadriplegic patients to drink water through brain-controlled gloves.
The third stage is the ultimate goal of the brain-computer interface, brain enhancement. No one has been able to do it yet, and it usually only appears in science fiction movies. Imagine connecting to AI through a brain-computer interface is equivalent to installing a microcomputer in your brain, which can retrieve and store information at any time, and achieve super enhancement of knowledge and memory. At this time, human beings can no longer be called human beings, and should be called new human beings 20。
Let's talk about the surgical implantation of brain-computer interfaces.
The first wearable, the most primitive form of brain-computer interface, does not require any surgery. The disadvantages are the need to wear complex equipment and limited access to information.
The second type of intrusion is Musk's. A craniotomy implants hardware into the skull. Neurons are then connected to communicate through electrical circuits. The disadvantage of this method is that it is very easy to cause infections and subsequent complications.
Since 2018, Neuralink has killed nearly 1,500 animals, including 280 pigs, sheep, and monkeys.
The third type of minimally invasive implantation is this method adopted by Tsinghua University. The internal machine is buried between the skull and the cerebral cortex, and then wireless charging and signal reading are carried out by the external machine. Patients can be discharged from the hospital within 10 days of surgery.
Which implant is better, obviously.