Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates are among the investors behind Neuralink, a startup testing mind-controlled computing on humans with implants threaded through their brain. These devices aim to aid those suffering from paralysis as well as other neurological conditions like blindness, memory loss or hearing loss through devices implanted into these individuals' heads.

What is Neuralink?

Neuralink is a brain implant startup backed by billionaires Elon Musk and Bill Gates. It has been testing mind-controlled computing on monkeys as it seeks FDA approval to begin human trials.

The company's chip is built upon an understanding that all voluntary movements begin as electrical signals sent through the brain, which are then translated by the body's nervous system into action - such as walking or kicking.

That is why Neuralink believes it can create a device that retransmits these signals and gives its user control of their bodies. But before that can happen, there are several obstacles the company must conquer.

First, the device must be surgically implanted into the skull. It's a small 8mm-diameter device with multiple wires connected to electrodes that must be insulated for safety.

Second, it must be carefully placed within the brain so it can detect when and where signals from that area travel. This will prove challenging due to how complexly wired up our brain is with its many nerves running through it - some of which must cross paths with each other.

Thirdly, your device must be able to communicate with other devices. While this could prove challenging at times, it's certainly achievable.

Fourth, it must be able to capture and retransmit brain signals. While this is achievable, the process could prove more complex than anticipated, particularly if there are thousands of connections involved.

Fifth, Neuralink must ensure its users' security is paramount. This presents a major challenge which the team has been working towards for years.

Neuralink claims it has developed an innovative way of retransmitting brain signals, making it possible for the company to create a working device. They've packaged their technology into an ultra-small unit which can stimulate and record from 1,536 or 3,072 channels depending on how it's used - more channels than any other BCI system available today and much more flexible than previous systems.

Why is it important?

Forget the remote control; Neuralink is taking human augmentation to a whole new level. Backed by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Microsoft founder Bill Gates, the company is testing mind-controlled computing on humans in an effort to improve quality of life for those suffering from paralysis, memory loss, hearing impairment or blindness. Their latest product is a brain-computer interface that can be implanted into the brain using only a few needle-like electrodes.

Neuralink's most ambitious endeavor is to create artificial intelligence capable of simulating human neurons with unprecedented precision and speed. To this end, they are making waves in neural network science with their suite of algorithms for building machine learning models for various applications from image processing to drug design.

Fair warning, BCI technology is still experimental and may take years to perfect before becoming widely applicable. That being said, this milestone marks an important step on the road towards intelligent automation. Additionally, policy makers now have a chance to assess how best to safeguard our privacy while improving quality of life for everyone.

How is it working?

Neuralink, founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, is developing a brain implant that will let you control computers, phones and smart home appliances with your mind. They're also working on brain-computer interfaces which could assist those suffering from paralysis, blindness or memory loss.

The company has been testing its mettle with an array of flashy media and marketing tactics. The most notable is their'symbolic MRI', an interactive display for a select group of participants that can record one single brain wave in real time.

Neuralink may have flashy media presentations, but their most impressive attribute is their willingness to experiment and accept feedback. Through those trials they've identified the optimal way to power the technology without creating too much heat as well as topological and statistical algorithms that will enable them to build a brain-powered AI computer capable of outperforming human brain performance. Human trials are expected to begin this summer; in the meantime they remain focused on their goal.

What is the future?

In a future not too far off from now, people may be able to control computers and other devices with their minds. This is possible through brain-controlled interfaces (BCIs), which enable someone's mind to wirelessly transmit commands to an external device. Despite all of the hype, this science remains highly unfinished.

There are numerous obstacles, both technical and medical. One major concern is that the human body can react negatively to electrode wires attached to its surface. Musk suggests using some sort of insulator as a potential solution, but finding one suitable will take years of research and development.

Another significant challenge lies in the requirement for a surgical procedure that inserts electrode wires into the brain, according to Dr. Jason Shepherd, associate professor of neurobiology at the University of Utah and coordinator for Neuralink's clinical trials. This type of surgery can be complex and risky, according to his experience as part of Neuralink's clinical trials.

Cost can be an obstacle for many. Furthermore, ethical concerns must also be considered since BCI surgery falls outside the scope of insurance in the US.

At present, most researchers are working on smaller implants that can be placed between blood vessels surrounding the brain's surface. This will make electrocorticography less invasive and minimize any risk of damaging vascular tissue.

Hodak notes that while these small devices could aid a person's movement, they cannot restore full body functionality. This is because the brain is an intricate network of neural connections too broad to be controlled by a chip, according to Hodak.

However, the research community is making strides in this area. Companies like Neuralink and Paradromics in Austin are creating fully implantable devices that will be inserted into the brain for long-term benefit.

Although this technology is not yet ready for general consumption, it's exciting to watch how it develops. In the near future, it could potentially improve communication, boost our performance in certain tasks, and even cure certain diseases.