Neuralink, a brain- grafting chip company run by Elon Musk, is currently the target of a federal investigation into their animal studies.
The company is trying to develop a brain chip that will help paralyzed people walk and blind people see.
What is Neuralink researching?
Founded in 2016 by Elon Musk and a team of engineers, Neuralink is building a brain chip interface that can be planted in the skull.
This device can help patients with disabilities move and communicate again, while restoring vision to the blind.
Neuralink's device is essentially a chip that processes and transmits nerve signals to devices such as computers or phones.
The company hopes to help humans control mice, keyboards or other computer functions such as texting with their thoughts.
The first Neuralink product will allow a paralyzed person to use a smartphone with a mind faster than a right-wing user, Elon Musk said in April 2021.
Neuralink also believes that their device will eventually be able to restore nerve activity inside the body, allowing people with spinal cord injuries to move their limbs.
The company also hopes to treat neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
What has Neuralink done?
Neuralink has successfully piloted a number of aspects of the technology in animals. The advance was documented in a 2021 video showing a monkey playing a simple video game after being planted with a brain chip.
In a webcast last week, the company introduced improvements in chip speed and capabilities.
Neuralink has not yet received approval under US regulations to switch to human testing, unlike its competitor Synchron, which focuses on medical advances more.
Neuralink has delayed human testing because it has not been licensed after submitting an application to the US Food and Drug Administration.
Last week, Elon Musk said he believes Neuralink could start clinical trials on humans in six more months.
