Brain-chip can restore vision to persons born blind, says Elon Musk
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that Neuralink, his brain-chip startup company, has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an experimental implant device that will “enable even those who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to see”.
“The Blindsight device from Neuralink will enable even those who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to see. Provided the visual cortex is intact, it will even enable those who have been blind from birth to see for the first time,” the tech billionaire tweeted early Wednesday.
In the tweet on X (formerly Twitter), Musk posted a photo of Geordi La Forge, a character from the sci-fi TV series Star Trek, who is blind from birth but uses different technological devices that allows him to see.
“To set expectations correctly, the vision will first be at low resolution, like Atari graphics, but eventually it has the potential to be better than natural vision and enable you to see in infrared, ultraviolet, or even radar wavelengths, like Geordi La Forge”.
READ ALSO:
Co-founded by Elon Musk in 2016, Neuralink specialises in developing innovative brain-computer interfaces to transform treatments for neurological disorders.
Neuralink’s technology includes a brain implant that reads neural signals and wirelessly transmits them to external devices, including computers and mobile devices.
Business World reported that Neuralink is also developing an implant that enables paralysed individuals to control digital devices with their thoughts.
Neuralink is also reported to be conducting a clinical trial with three participants to evaluate the device’s effectiveness in aiding individuals with spinal cord injuries.
In August 2024, it was widely reported that Neuralink successfully implanted its brain-computer interface in a second patient, who is now able to control video games and create 3D designs using just their thoughts.
Tinubu appoints Jami’u Abiola as Senior Special Assistant President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Jami’u…
Hoodlums beat police officer to death in Adamawa In Adamawa State, a policeman, Ibrahim Maizabuwa, has…
Breaking: Supreme Court affirms Sly Ezeokenwa as APGA National Chairman The Supreme Court, on Wednesday,…
Court remands Yahaya Bello, two others in EFCC custody till Dec 10 Former Governor of…
I'm alive, Obasanjo reacts to death rumour Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said he…
Police rearrest popular singer, Speed Darlington Nigerian musician Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington,…