Hey there, welcome to Neuropod, a channel covering everything related to Elon Musk's brain computer interface company, Neurolink. My name is Ryan Tanaka, and in this update episode, we have a ton of new developments. First, we'll start with an update on how many people in the world have a Neurolink device.Then, I'll share two posts from Neuralink's first patient, Nolan, one of which went super viral on X. Then David McMullen who has previously worked at DARPA, the NIH and as director at the FDA is joining N ...

AI and Neuroscience Convergence - AI模型内部的数学对象与神经科学中大脑的数学对象相似，不同模型在不同数据集上训练时，会收敛到相同的底层表示，表明AI可能正在学习关于宇宙的深刻知识 [3][4] - 人工智能和大脑的工作方式比最初认为的更相似 [2] Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Technology and Applications - Science 公司正在开发一种视网膜假体，该芯片植入眼睛后部，使无法识别面孔的年龄相关性黄斑变性患者能够再次阅读 [11][12] - 视网膜假体通过绕过视杆细胞和视锥细胞，将视觉信息传回大脑，使患者能够阅读整个视力表 [15][16] - BCI技术可能与医学并行发展，甚至超越医学，通过操纵、控制和增强大脑来延长寿命 [19] - BCI的近期应用是针对严重的医疗疾病的医疗设备，这些设备将获得付款人的报销 [38] Future of BCI and Human Augmentation - 预计在未来十年内，大脑边界可以被重划，从而改变大脑的起始和结束位置，以及个体的起始和结束位置 [8][9] - 通过将计算技术插入大脑，可能会创造出具有超越常人能力的新人类 [35] - 下一代BCI技术可能会使中风或其他损伤患者获得惊人的机会 [37] Challenges and Considerations - 医疗保健领域存在一个根本性的矛盾，即随着技术的进步，能够延长寿命和提高生活质量的技术越来越多，但医疗保健的资金却相对固定 [39][40] - 解决心血管疾病和癌症等难题可能可以通过直接连接大脑来避免 [21] - 将电极植入运动皮层后，患者可以在大约一个小时后开始玩电子游戏，这在医学领域产生了前所未有的效果 [18] - Prima 是一种 2mm x 2mm 的芯片，植入视网膜下，与带有摄像头和激光的眼镜配合使用，激光将红外光投射到植入物上，刺激双极细胞 [26][27]

Core Insights - Wearable Devices Ltd. has received a grant of $750,000 from the Israel Innovation Authority to fund a clinical pilot program in collaboration with Soroka University Medical Center [1][2] - The pilot program aims to validate the Mudra Link neural wristband as a rehabilitation tool for patients with impaired grip-force control due to motor-cortex brain injuries [2][3] - The Mudra platform is positioned to provide cost-effective therapy that can be performed at home with minimal supervision, potentially establishing it as the standard of care in grip-force neurorehabilitation [3] Company Overview - Wearable Devices Ltd. specializes in AI-powered touchless sensing wearables, focusing on human-computer interaction through its proprietary technology [4][6] - The company's products, including the Mudra Band and Mudra Link, enable intuitive control of digital devices using gestures, catering to both consumer and enterprise markets [5][6] - The company operates a dual-channel model, offering direct-to-consumer sales and enterprise licensing, enhancing user experiences in gaming, productivity, and extended reality [5]

What we are able to achieve with with this sort of um a a super highresolution system that sits on the surface of the brain is really to record the awake uh activity of the brain at a resolution that's never before been seen and never before been been achieved. And just going back to your question earlier, you know, the brain is an electrical organ, meaning that when we have thoughts, there is actually a physical manifestation of those thoughts. So we we intend to move our hands or our fingers or um we reca ...

Clinical Trial Progress & Results - Neuralink successfully completed its first human trial surgery in the UK, with the participant, Paul, paralyzed due to motor neuron disease (likely ALS), able to control a computer with his thoughts hours after surgery [1][3][4] - Neuralink's total patient count is now 13 across four hospital sites: Phoenix, Miami, Toronto, and London [6] - Neuralink's eighth patient, Nick Ray, demonstrated the ability to control an assisted robotic arm via Bluetooth, showcasing both digital and physical freedom [1][6][9] - Science, a competitor led by Max Hodak, reported that over 80% (26 out of 32) of their study participants experienced meaningful improvement in vision after one year using their 2mm x 2mm retinal implant [2][15][17] Technological Advancements & Applications - Neuralink's device allows patients to control computers and robotic arms with their minds, offering potential for restoring autonomy and enriching daily life [4][5][9] - Neuralink is working towards enabling 22 degrees of freedom of control with Tesla's Optimus robot, expanding beyond the current 7 degrees of freedom with the robotic arm [12] - Neuralink is developing a speech restoration clinical trial study at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi [25] Business Expansion & Strategy - Neuralink has leased a 144,000 sq ft property in South San Francisco, expanding its presence in Silicon Valley in addition to its ongoing expansion in Austin, Texas [2][12] Future Outlook & Developments - Neuralink is expected to begin trials for blindsight next year [18] - Neuralink submitted a paper to the New England Journal of Medicine describing the first three patients implanted with the Neuralink device, including safety data [25]

Neuroscience and Ancient Traditions - Neuroscience validates ancient traditions like mindful meditation and acupuncture, revealing tangible brain changes [2][3][8] - Ancient approaches once considered pseudoscience are now being validated by scientific discoveries, highlighting the interconnectedness of ancient wisdom and modern technology [4][5] - Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other traditional complementary alternative medicines (TCAM) are being investigated for their validity and potential benefits [10][11] Brain Modulation and Neurotechnology - Modern technology is used to scrutinize the brain, leading to a better understanding of how to modulate thought, feeling, and sensory-motor functions [5][6] - Neurotechnologies like neurofeedback, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are being used to enhance brain function and treat disabilities [14][16][17][19] - Brain mapping techniques are used to study brain wave dynamics and functional structures, revealing the unique fingerprints of individual brains [8][9] - Neural plasticity allows for reshaping and remodeling of the brain, enabling interventions to improve functionality and quality of life [14][15] Ethical Considerations in Neurotechnology - The rapid advancement of neurotechnology raises ethical concerns about privacy, confidentiality, and the potential for misuse [23][24][25] - There is a need for regulation and ethical guidelines to ensure that neurotechnology is used for the betterment of humanity [25] - Questions arise about the limits of technological intervention and the potential impact on human identity and autonomy [23][26]

Clinical Trials and Product Development - Neuralink launched a clinical trial in Great Britain in partnership with UCL and Newcastle hospitals, involving up to seven participants, to explore restoring digital autonomy to individuals with severe paralysis [1] - Neuralink is conducting trials across six hospital sites in four countries for controlling digital devices telepathically and is seeking participants for speech restoration at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, with plans to expand to the US within the next year [1] - Neuralink plans to implant in the speech cortex next quarter to directly decode attentive words from brain signals to speech [1] - In 2026, Neuralink plans to triple the number of electrodes from 1,000 to 3,000 for more capabilities and have its first blind sight participant to enable navigation [1] - By 2028, Neuralink aims to reach more than 25,000 channels per implant, enable multiple implants, access any part of the brain for psychiatric conditions and pain, and integrate with AI [1] Competitive Landscape - Sam Altman is co-founding Merge Labs, aiming to raise $250 million from OpenAI and other investors to compete with Neuralink, valuing Merge Labs at $850 million [1] - Coinbase co-founder Fred Ersome's company, Nudge, raised $100 million to build a helmet that beams low-intensity focused ultrasound into the brain [3] - LinkedIn co-founder Reed Hoffman is leading a $12 million funding round in a similar company [4] Patient Progress and Impact - Neuralink successfully completed surgeries on participant 8 and participant 9, aiming for at least 20 participants before the end of the year [7] - Audrey Cruz is the first woman in the world with a Neuralink BCI, allowing her to control a laptop cursor with her mind telepathically [8][10] - Nick Ray, participant 8, reports regaining digital autonomy and creative expression through the Neuralink implant [15] - Jake Snider, Neuralink's seventh patient, initially set a world record for cursor control with a brain-computer interface at 10.08 bits per second, later surpassed by Nick Ray at 10.39 bits per second [16] - RJ Tanner, Neuralink's fifth participant, has regained a sense of independence, controlling his computer, phone, and TV, and interacting with his daughter through a robotic arm simulation [21][22][23]

Technology Comparison - Neuralink's brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are positioned to potentially make external devices like Apple's Vision Pro obsolete due to fundamental advantages in bandwidth, integration, and sensory capabilities [20][23][26][27] - Apple's Vision Pro, priced at $3,500 before upgrades and taxes, is considered a spatial computer with 23 million pixels of resolution and 13 cameras, but its fundamental architecture is viewed as an extension of existing technology rather than a reinvention [4][9][16] - Neuralink's technology involves implanting a tiny chip into the brain using a custom robot to place thousands of electrode threads, each thinner than a human hair, into specific areas [10][11] - While Vision Pro is available now, Neuralink is in early stages of human testing, focusing on medical applications for individuals with paralysis [43][44] Neuralink's Potential and Advantages - Neuralink aims to solve brain and spine problems and enable humans to merge with artificial intelligence [38][39] - The company's technology could allow users to control devices with their thoughts, potentially achieving communication speeds faster than typing [12][13][26] - Neuralink's approach could bypass biological limitations, potentially creating new senses or enhancing existing ones beyond their limits [27][28] - The company is valued at around $8 billion to $9 billion, indicating significant investment and commitment to its mission [57] Challenges and Future Outlook - Neuralink faces technical, regulatory, and ethical hurdles, including ensuring device security, data privacy, and addressing psychological barriers related to brain surgery [36][37][38] - Elon Musk estimates that non-medical applications of Neuralink may be 5 to 10 years away, with more widespread adoption in 15 to 20 years [62] - The company is expanding human trials to Miami, Florida; Toronto, Canada; the UK; New Zealand; and the UAE [63][64]