Elon Musk’s Neuralink to Implant ‘Blindsight’ chip in first human by 2025

Syllabus: GS3/ S&T

In News

• Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup Neuralink has announced ambitious plans to begin human trials of its visual prosthesis device, “Blindsight” by the end of 2025.
  • This brain-computer interface (BCI) aims to restore vision in people who are completely blind.

What is Blindsight?

• Blindsight is an experimental artificial vision device that:
  • Uses a microelectrode array implanted in the visual cortex of the brain.
  • Bypasses the eyes and optic nerves entirely.
  • Processes visual data from a camera feed and stimulates neurons in the brain’s visual center, enabling perception of images.

About Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs)

• A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a computer-based system that:
  • Acquires brain signals
  • Analyzes them
  • Translates them into commands
  • Sends those commands to external devices to carry out a desired action
• Unlike traditional motor control (e.g., flipping a light switch), BCIs enable users to control devices directly using brain activity, bypassing the body’s muscles and peripheral nerves.
• BCIs can be broadly categorized as:
  • Invasive: Electrodes are surgically implanted directly into the brain. These offer high signal quality but carry risks associated with surgery.
  • Non-invasive: Sensors are placed on the scalp (e.g., EEG headsets). These are safer but have lower signal quality.
  • Partially invasive: Electrodes are placed inside the skull but outside the brain tissue.

Applications & Challenges of BCIs

Source: IE