Neuralink Achieves Sixth Human Brain-Chip Implant, Unveils Ambitious Expansion Plans
Neuralink, the neurotechnology firm founded by Elon Musk, has marked a significant milestone with the successful implantation of its "Telepathy" brain chip in a sixth human patient. The latest recipient, Rob Greiner, has demonstrated the ability to control a computer cursor and play video games using only his thoughts—showcasing the device’s potential to restore independence for individuals with paralysis and other neurological conditions.
Collectively, Neuralink’s six human patients have now logged over 10,570 hours of brain-chip use, highlighting both the safety and utility of the technology in real-world settings. The company’s fully implantable, coin-sized device features ultra-thin wires with up to 1,024 electrodes, which record and decode neural activity and enable wireless communication with digital devices.
Neuralink recently secured $650 million in a Series E funding round, fueling its mission to deepen the connection between human cognition and artificial intelligence. The company’s roadmap includes implanting chips in the speech cortex by the third quarter of 2025, aiming to directly decode thoughts into speech. By 2026, Neuralink plans to triple the number of implants and increase electrode density, expanding the device’s capabilities for both medical and cognitive enhancement.
In parallel, Neuralink’s "Blindsight" project—designed to restore vision for the blind—has received FDA "Breakthrough Device" status, accelerating its regulatory and clinical development. The technology is expected to initially provide low-resolution visual perception, with future iterations targeting higher resolution and the ability to interpret multi-spectral wavelengths, including ultraviolet and infrared.
Neuralink will provide a comprehensive update on its progress and future plans during a livestreamed public presentation on June 27, 2025, offering insights into the transformative potential of brain-computer interfaces for healthcare and human enhancement.