Elon Musk promises his technology will help the blind see

According to Musk, the signal will be transmitted directly into the brain. Photo: Tesla YouTube channel

The founder of Tesla and SpaceX announced that his company Neuralink is preparing for a revolutionary breakthrough in treating blindness. During the interview, the billionaire detailed a new technology called Blindsight, which he claims could restore vision even to those blind from birth.

“There’s a second Neuralink device called Blindsight, which will enable people who are blind to see, including people who have been blind from birth. It will interface directly with the visual cortex in the brain. Within the next 12 months, I’m quite confident we can do that,” said Musk.

According to him, the technology involves implanting a microelectrode array into the visual cortex of the brain. The device is capable of activating neurons to provide the individual with visual perceptions. Musk noted that the first human trials for implantation are expected to begin before the end of 2025.

Neuralink’s neurological innovations aren’t limited to vision. Musk also stated that the company is close to developing technology that could allow people with spinal cord injuries to walk again.

“I also think it's quite likely – if not close to certain – that we’ll be able to enable somebody who has a severed spinal column to walk again by taking the signals from the brain, bridging them over the severed connections in the spine, and reenergizing the nerves past the point that is broken,” the entrepreneur explained.

Blindsight received 'Breakthrough Device' designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2024. This recognition not only accelerates the development process but also helps the device move more swiftly through regulatory approval.

When asked about the legacy he hopes to leave behind, Musk said he would like to be remembered: “that I was useful in the furtherance of civilization, that I helped civilization move forward, added to the knowledge and capability, and helped understand the universe.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Elon Musk had trademarked the names 'Telepathy' and 'Telekinesis'.

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