Elon Musk’s brain-chip firm says it has received approval from the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to conduct its first tests on humans. The Neuralink company wants to help restore vision and mobility to people by linking brains to computers.

The FDA said it acknowledged Neuralink’s announcement. According to a report, An earlier bid by Neuralink to win FDA approval was rejected on safety grounds.

What is neuralink and what does it do?

Neuralink is a company founded by Elon Musk in 2016 that is developing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). These BCIs are designed to be fully implantable, cosmetically invisible, and capable of connecting a person’s brain to a computer or other devices, enabling them to control technology with their thoughts. Neuralink’s primary goal is to restore autonomy to individuals with medical needs and to unlock human potential. This neurotechnology technology enhances human capabilities and potentially enable a symbiotic relationship between humans and advanced artificial intelligence AI.

Musk hopes to use its microchips to treat conditions of human being such as paralysis and blindness and to help certain disabled people use computers and mobile technology to improved health condition through AI technology.

Neuralink, which have been tested in monkeys and now are designed to interpret signals produced in the brain and relay information to devices via Bluetooth.

The ultimate goal of Neuralink is to create devices that can be implanted in the human brain to establish a high-bandwidth connection between the brain and external devices or computers. This technology could potentially be used to treat neurological disorders, restore sensory functions or it enhances cognitive abilities. Elon Musk has expressed concerns about the potential risks of this modern AI system and believes that developing interfaces that merge human and AI is a way to address those risks.

The company has been working on developing a small, implantable device called the “Link” that consists of very small, flexible and thin electrode threads and a custom-designed chip. These threads are thinner than human hair and are to be implanted into specific regions of the brain to detect and stimulate from neurons. The chip, known as the “N1 chip,” acts like a bridge between the brain and external devices like computer enabling data transfer technology.

The company has long time vision which is to create a product that is safe to use, effective and affordable for every one around the world. At the moment the company has made progress in developing the technology. It’s important to note that Neuralink had not conducted human trials and the technology was still in the research and development phase for the advanced level.

Scientists have cautioned that Neuralink’s brain implants will require extensive testing to overcome technical and ethical errors and challenges if they are widely available.

A paralysed man from Netherlands was able to walk simply by thinking about it. He thanks to a system of implants which wirelessly transmit his thoughts to his legs and feet.

Its initial aim was to start planting chips in human brains in 2020, in order to honour a pledge made the year before. It later vowed to get started in 2022.

This system would enable those with spinal cord injuries to move their limbs, and could effectively cure paralysis, blindness, mental illness, and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.