Neural Noise

Neuralink

2 min read

  • Neuralink is a brain–computer interface company founded by Elon Musk developing fully implanted, wireless intracortical BCI devices.1
  • The flagship N1 chip uses 1,024 flexible electrode threads inserted into motor cortex by the company’s R1 surgical robot; it is the core device in the PRIME study (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface), which received FDA approval in May 2023.2
  • As of January 2026, 21 “Neuralnauts” are enrolled in clinical trials worldwide, up from 3 in early 2025—a rapid expansion signaling growing confidence in device safety and surgical protocol.3
  • Collectively, the 12-patient cohort reported in early March 2026 had accumulated >15,000 hours of device use, providing safety and performance data at scale.4
  • The company launched the VOICE trial for ALS and severe speech impairment patients; patient Kenneth Shock, implanted in January 2026, became a prominent demonstration case translating thoughts into speech via the VOICE system.5
  • Neuralink’s first product line, Telepathy, enables individuals with quadriplegia to control computers, smartphones, and robotic limbs using only thoughts; active trials cover spinal cord injury and ALS.1
  • A visual prosthesis trial (Blindsight) is listed as an upcoming trial for patients with profound vision loss, extending the platform beyond motor/speech applications.1
  • Neuralink raised a $650 million Series E round to scale manufacturing and clinical expansion; the company announced plans for mass production of BCI devices as of January 2026.3
  • In 2025, Neuralink launched GB-PRIME, expanding clinical trials to the United Kingdom at two sites, making it the first BCI program to run parallel US and UK regulatory trials.1
  • The PRIME study’s rapid enrollment (22 target participants) positions Neuralink as one of the largest active intracortical BCI trials by patient count, though still behind established academic programs like BrainGate (>30 patients since 2006).2
  • China’s NeuCyber (Beinao-2) is the primary state-backed competitor; its CEO acknowledged a ~3-year lag behind Neuralink on fully invasive technology as of March 2026, but NeuCyber’s semi-invasive Beinao-1 has separately accumulated 55,000+ hours of implant operation with 16 patients.6

Footnotes

  1. https://neuralink.com/updates/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  2. https://bciintel.com/news/neuralink-seven-implant-recipients-clinical-trial/ ↩ ↩2

  3. https://teslanorth.com/2026/01/28/from-paralysis-to-neuroscience-how-21-people-are-using-neuralink-in-2026/ ↩ ↩2

  4. https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/elon-musk-s-neuralink-expands-human-trials-as-12-patients-clock-15-000-hours-on-brain-chip/chwjH1mRdtC ↩

  5. https://www.basenor.com/blogs/news/neuralinks-als-patient-kenneth-can-think-to-speak-again ↩

  6. https://english.aawsat.com/varieties/5253495-beijing-backed-brain-chip-firm-says-it-3-years-behind-musks-neuralink ↩

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