18亿融资入场！奥特曼超声脑机公司Merge Labs，与马斯克Neuralink竞逐脑机赛道

Core Viewpoint - The competition between Elon Musk's Neuralink and OpenAI's Merge Labs marks a significant shift in the brain-computer interface (BCI) sector, with both companies pursuing different technological paths to enhance human capabilities and interaction with AI [2][3]. Group 1: Funding and Investment - Merge Labs recently completed a seed round financing of $252 million (approximately 1.8 billion RMB), significantly exceeding the early funding amounts typical in the neurotechnology sector [2]. - OpenAI is the largest investor in this round, indicating a strategic integration of OpenAI's core algorithms with Merge Labs' BCI technology [2]. Group 2: Technological Approaches - Merge Labs aims to develop non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, utilizing technologies like ultrasound for neural signal transmission, contrasting with Neuralink's invasive approach that requires surgical implantation of electrodes [3]. - Sam Altman has publicly expressed skepticism about invasive technologies, emphasizing the desire for a system that allows interaction with AI through thought alone [3]. Group 3: Market Growth and Trends - The global BCI market is projected to grow from approximately $2.62 billion in 2024 to $12.4 billion by 2034, indicating a robust growth trajectory [6]. - In China, the BCI market is expected to increase from 3.2 billion RMB in 2024 to 5.58 billion RMB by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of about 20% [6]. Group 4: Industry Dynamics - The competition between invasive and non-invasive technologies may lead to a complementary relationship, where advancements in medical applications can enhance consumer-grade devices and vice versa [7]. - The ongoing rivalry between Musk and Altman is seen as a catalyst for industry progress, potentially ushering in a new era of human-computer interaction [7].