Neuralink
Co-founder
Implantable brain–computer interfaces that have let paralysed people control computers with their thoughts.
neuralink.com21+ (2026)
Humans implanted
0
Serious adverse events
1,024
Electrodes per implant
Jan 2024
First human implant
Co-founded by Musk in 2016, Neuralink builds the N1 implant — a coin-sized device with 1,024 electrodes on 64 ultrafine threads placed in the motor cortex and read out wirelessly. Its near-term mission is to restore autonomy to people with paralysis, blindness and other conditions.
After FDA clearance in 2023, Neuralink performed its first human implant in January 2024 on Noland Arbaugh, paralysed from a diving accident; within weeks he was moving a cursor and playing chess by thought, later exceeding able-bodied cursor speeds. As of early 2026 at least 21 people have been implanted, all actively using their devices, with zero reported serious adverse device events.
Neuralink's Blindsight visual-cortex implant received an FDA "breakthrough device" designation in 2024, aiming to restore a form of sight to people who have lost both eyes and optic nerve. Trials are expanding across the US, Canada, UK and UAE.
Milestones
FDA approves first in-human clinical trial.
First human implant; participant controls a cursor by thought.
Blindsight vision implant gets FDA breakthrough designation.
Reaches 21 implants with zero serious adverse events.
Sources