Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup, Neuralink, is preparing to implant its artificial visual prosthesis, Blindsight, in a human for the first time by the end of 2025. The experimental device, which was designated as a “breakthrough device” by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September last year, is designed to help people with complete vision loss regain sight.
Blindsight: How It Works
Blindsight features a microelectrode array implanted in the brain’s visual cortex, the region responsible for processing visual information. It is intended to stimulate neurons based on input from a camera, allowing individuals who have lost their eyes or optic nerves to perceive images.
In a recent town hall in Wisconsin, Musk emphasized that initial results would be limited, comparing the first version of Blindsight to low-resolution “Atari graphics.” However, he expressed confidence that the technology would evolve over time, eventually providing vision capabilities beyond human limits.
Neuralink has already tested the device in monkeys for several years, with promising results, according to Musk.
FDA Breakthrough Status and Expert Concerns
The FDA’s “breakthrough device” designation is intended to accelerate the development and review of medical technologies that address life-threatening conditions. However, experts caution that this does not indicate a cure for blindness. Instead, the technology is expected to function as an assistive tool, complementing traditional mobility aids like canes and guide dogs, rather than replacing them entirely.
Philip Troyk, a biomedical engineer at the Illinois Institute of Technology, commented that while the technology has potential, claims about full visual restoration may be overly optimistic.
Future Prospects
If successful, Blindsight could be a revolutionary advancement in assistive technology for visually impaired individuals. While challenges remain, Neuralink’s ongoing research aims to push the boundaries of brain-machine interfaces and redefine possibilities in neuroscience.
