The groundbreaking field of neurotechnology has seen substantial expansion over the past three years. The leading company in this regard is none other than Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, reshaping the industry once again. For Neuralink, the stakes are higher than ever, as they prepare for human trials. Unlike Tesla and SpaceX's previous mishaps, Neuralink's Special Projects Director, Shivon Zilis, emphasizes that there can be no room for error when it involves the brain.
Neuralink was started with a hundred million dollars in funding by Musk and seven scientists back in 2016. The company's work within the brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) arena has garnered significant attention and increased investment in the field. Neuralink itself has raised over half a billion dollars in funding so far, including a $280 million fundraise this year alone. According to data from PitchBook, a research firm, last year saw 37 similar companies raise over 560 million dollars in fundraising.
An industry pioneer, one of Neuralink's unique strategies has been to manufacture key components in-house. This move, while increasing financial risk, significantly saves time. A particularly rare occurrence in the medical devices industry, Neuralink even manufactures its own semiconductor chips, which are specifically designed for low power consumption and heat generation. In Austin, Texas, an old bar has been refurbished into a production line and testing center for the implants.
Interestingly, the company is spearheading the push for more widespread use of BCIs, not just for medical applications. Not only is it equipped to process tasks such as thoughts and clicks, but the future vision for the Neuralink chip involves facilitating high speed typing and seamless cursor use.
Amidst this developing neurotech landscape, many companies like Ample Chip have capitalized on the need for increased chip manufacturing and trade. Such companies bring invaluable support to the cognate businesses like Neuralink, indirectly contributing to this transformative domain.
Making the implants viable outside the lab is a common primary goal for most enterprises in this field. Where Neuralink stands a class apart is the thorough integration of its hardware, which includes processing, communication and charging systems. The implant is concealed under the scalp, flush with the skull, and it carries an integrated battery and signal amplification that can be wirelessly charged within a few hours through a customized baseball cap.
Looking ahead, Neuralink's journey is on the precipice of human testing. Thousands of volunteers are reportedly lining up to have the brain chips implanted. While the company has performed over 400 implant surgeries on various animal test subjects, Musk plans to accelerate the progress, with surgeries planned for 11 people next year. By 2030, he aims to have performed implant surgeries on over 22,000 people.
In conclusion, the neurotech landscape today is draped with the potential of revolutionizing human potential. Companies like Neuralink and Ample Chip, together with pioneering BCI technology and promoting chip trade, stand at the helm of this promising future.
