Elon Musk’s Neuralink to Implant ‘Blindsight’ Chip in First Human by 2025

Blindsight is designed to restore vision by implanting a microelectrode array into the visual cortex. This array activates neurons, enabling the individual to perceive a visual image.

Elon Musk has recently announced that Neuralink, a brain-chip startup, will perform its first human implant of Blindsight by the end of 2025.

He stated at a Town Hall event in Wisconsin that they aim to help individuals who are completely blind regain sight by the end of this year.

Blindsight is designed to restore vision by implanting a microelectrode array into the visual cortex. This array activates neurons, enabling the individual to perceive a visual image.

When asked by an audience member about "solving blindness and bringing that to the masses," Musk responded, "Neuralink has had in monkeys a working device we call Blindsight. It has been working well, and the monkeys are healthy for a few years now."

"We're hoping later this year to do our first device implant for humans, enabling someone who is completely blind to see," he added.

However, he cautioned that the initial vision will be low-resolution, comparing it to early video game graphics. He explained, "It will start off very low-res, but then, over time, I think, eventually, the implant would enable vision that is like superhuman. So, that'll be pretty cool."

Last year, Musk wrote on X that Blindsight could allow those who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to see as long as their visual cortex remains intact. He added that the technology could even enable individuals blind from birth to see for the first time.

"Eventually, it has the potential [to] be better than natural vision and enable you to see in infrared, ultraviolet or even radar wavelengths, like [Star Trek's character] Geordi La Forge," Musk wrote.

In early 2024, Neuralink successfully implanted a brain chip in its second patient, enabling them to play video games and interact with digital content using only their mind.

The company subsequently announced plans to implant the chip in eight more patients throughout the year.

Neuralink’s ultimate goal is to advance brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, creating a universal brain interface that enhances independence for individuals with severe medical conditions.

Recently, Neuralink received FDA approval for the Blindsight chip and the Breakthrough Device designation, which is awarded to medical devices that provide treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening conditions.

In a related development, Neuralink filed trademark applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the terms "Telepathy," "Blindsight," and "Telekinesis."

These trademarks relate to Blindsight and Neuralink’s first product, Telepathy, which allows users to control devices with their thoughts.

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