Elon Musk`s company, Neuralink, has revealed intentions to connect its patients with brain implants to Tesla`s Optimus robots. Musk made this announcement during a recent Neuralink event, the recording of which is available online.
The entrepreneur confirmed that Neuralink has currently implanted its device in seven patients. The first individual to receive the implant, Nolan Arbaugh, did so in January 2024. Musk stated that their innovative brain-computer interface technology will be integrated with the Tesla Optimus humanoid robots.
Neuralink plans to link individuals with disabilities who have the implant to these humanoid robots. “Essentially, you`ll be able to mentally and remotely control an Optimus robot,” Musk explained. He reiterated that Neuralink patients already possess the ability to control computers using their thoughts, allowing them to type, browse the internet, and even play video games.
The head of Neuralink noted that the implant can extract signals from the brain and transmit them past damaged neurons, potentially helping individuals regain full physical function. Those who have lost limbs could receive robotic prosthetics, which Musk suggested would operate similarly to those seen in “Star Wars” films.
Concluding his remarks, Elon Musk outlined Neuralink`s future roadmap. He stated that the team aims to release a 3,000-channel implant by 2026, followed by a chip with 10,000 channels in 2027, and a 25,000-channel version in 2028.
In May, Bradford Smith, the third patient to receive a Neuralink implant, shared his experience learning to control a computer. Smith is paralyzed above the neck and unable to speak, demonstrating the technology`s potential for restoring interaction capabilities.
