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 ...

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, the first thing we'll cover is that Neuralink has officially announced they've completed their first human trial surgery in the United Kingdom. I'll discuss what was shared, and then we have this video of Nick Ray, Neuralink's eighth patient, controlling an assisted robotic arm.Then Neuralink has leased a 144,000q foot property ...

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]