With the rapid development of technology, the concept of brain-machine interface (BMI) has gradually become a reality. Neuralink, led by Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, is at the forefront of this revolution. Neuralink is committed to developing advanced brain implants and expects the technology to improve a variety of diseases such as quadriplegia, paraplegia, and hearing loss.
1. The vision of neuralink and human trials
Neuralink has now received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human trials and is beginning recruiting volunteers to participate in this groundbreaking study. Although ALS fighters like Cai Lei, the former vice president of JD.com, argue that brain-computer interfaces are not life-saving, the technology undoubtedly offers a new way of communication that can help improve the quality of life for people with restrictions.
2. Memory enhancement and superhumans
Neuralink's ideal is not just for the disease, Musk also envisions a much more ambitious future: the creation of "superhumans" with enhanced memories and the possibility of even immortalizing souls through brain implants. While these goals may seem like a plot out of science fiction, with advances in brain science and nanotechnology, that day may not be far off.
3. The history and development of brain-computer connection
The concept of brain-computer articulation dates back to 1973 when it was first proposed by Jacques Vidal, a computer scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who envisioned detecting brain signals through electrodes on the scalp to control computing. In 2023, the 50th anniversary of the concept, brain-computer imaging has made significant progress at both the theoretical and practical levels.
Not only that, but research teams from Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) are also using different types of implants and algorithms to interpret electronic signals in the brain. At the same time, companies such as BitBrain are developing wearable sensors to monitor brain waves, and these devices, with the help of artificial intelligence technology, may be widely used in the consumer market in the near future.
Fourth, market prospects and investment boom
According to a report by Acumen Research and Consulting, the global brain-computer interface market will continue to expand in the coming years. This growth is mainly driven by the increasing demand for assistive technology, advances in neurotechnology and machine learning technology, and integration with virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) systems, and AI technologies. Neuralink raised 3$2.3 billion, and the company's valuation soared to $5 billion. Precision Neuroscience also raised $41 million in Series B funding, showing the high level of enthusiasm in the capital market for this field.
McKinsey's research further reveals the huge market potential for medical applications of brain-computer interfaces, which is expected to reach $40 billion by 2030 and possibly $145 billion by 2040. Among them, the serious medical market for central nervous system diseases** and the consumer medical market for emotional assessment and intervention have great potential.
5. Professional perspective and future prospects
Jia Liu, an assistant professor at Harvard University's School of Engineering and Applied Science, a leading expert named to MIT Technology Review's "35 Under 35 in Science and Technology" list, gave a positive assessment of the future development of the brain-computer interface field. He noted that 2024 could see significant advancements in the field of brain-computer interfaces, especially with the completion of human clinical trials providing us with key information on cutting-edge neuroconnectivity.
6. Neuralink's future plans
Neuralink's blueprint is unusually ambitious, with the company planning to increase the number of implant surgeries each year starting in 2024 and expecting more than 22,000 people to have their devices implanted by 2030. These implants consist of 1,024 electrodes, roughly the size of five 10-cent coins stacked on top of each other, and are surgically implanted by a specially developed robot. The collected brain signals will be interpreted by the user-side app to provide users with real-time feedback.
Conclusion
The development of brain-computer articulation not only has the potential to revolutionize the way many diseases occur, but also may push humanity to evolve beyond physical limitations. While there are still numerous ethical and technical challenges in this area, progress from companies like Neuralink shows that Musk's forward-looking vision is moving towards reality. From now on, we will witness a new era, an era of the combination of brain power and machines, where human potential will be redefined.