elon musk's neuralink unveils brain implant update and the surgical robot to insert it

one year ago, elon musk’s startup neuralink unveiled a brain implant device that uses small threads to detect neuron activity allowing users to control computers with their minds. at the time, the technology consisted of a discrete unit connected to an implanted microchip fitted behind the ear. following a year of silence, musk has released the first update to this technology — now boasting a coin-shaped design — which includes the first look at the neuralink surgical robot, a precise machine used to insert the device, created in collaboration with wearable technology leader, woke studios.

images courtesy of woke studios unless otherwise noted

for some time, elon musk has made clear his concerns with artificial intelligence and what he believes we should do to keep up with it. ‘on a species level, it’s important to figure out how we coexist with advanced AI, achieving some AI symbiosis, such that the future of world is controlled by the combined will of the people of the earth — I think that that’s obviously gonna be the future that we want,’ he said on friday during the official neuralink event live-streamed on youtube (you can watch it below). by allowing the human brain to merge with artificial intelligence, musk himself has said we could prevent global AI takeover.

screenshot from the neuralink presentation

during the neuralink presentation, musk unveiled a pig named gertrude fitted with the computer chip in its brain, showcasing a rather small step towards the goal of curing human diseases like blindness, paralysis, deafness and even mental illness. ‘in a lot of ways, it’s kind of like a fitbit in your skull, with tiny wires,’ musk said. and while the pig touched things, attendees and online viewers were able to see how an array of dots and different noises indicated which neurons were involved inside the pig’s head — something that is not new to neuroscientist.

during the livestream, musk stood beside an updated prototype of the machine that could conduct the complex and high-risk surgical procedure of implanting the microchip and neural threads into the brain. developed in collaboration with woke studios, the robot has been designed with zero room for error. ‘if the robot — which can extend to almost eight feet in height and move in five axes — were to vibrate and shift even a fraction of a millimeter, the results could be catastrophic,’ comments woke studios on the official press release.

‘while the patient may not be awake to see the machine in action, it was still important to design a non-intimidating robot that can aesthetically live alongside the iconic machines in musk’s portfolio,’ the studio continues. ‘it also needed to meet a long list of medical requirements in terms of sterility and maintenance, and provide safe and seamless utilization for its operators.’

featuring a curvy, clean car-like design, the neuralink surgical robot is divided into three parts: the ‘head’, where the human head is situated featuring the surgical needle and a plethora of cameras and sensors; the body, providing the mechanics for the control movement; and the base which provides weighted support for the entire structure and holding the technology that allows the entire system to operate. overall, the objective for the robot, despite its wildly futuristic nature, is to provide relatively autonomous procedures in a variety of settings, to allow for mass deployment.

‘the use cases for this technology are limitless, which, of course, means there is opportunity for both positive and negative outcomes on human life.’ concludes woke studios. ‘the reason our team at woke studios was enthusiastic to participate in this collaboration is simply this: we believe it is the role of the designer to realize the vision for our best possible future.’

throughout the event, musk avoided setting timelines or saying when the neuralink would be tested on humans. instead, the event aimed to create excitement and recruit new talent while building a — let’s say — fan base.