Elon Musk startup working on chip that could stream music to the brain

The startup is working on a brain-machine interface that will connect a computer to a chip implanted in someone’s brain.

In a Twitter post last week, Musk confirmed the interface would be able to stream music. Musk was advertising for experienced engineers for Neuralink via a Twitter post, on which Austin Howard replied with a question:

“If you’ve solved hard problems with phones / wearables (sealing, signal processing, inductive charging, power mgmt, etc), please consider working at [email protected],” Musk wrote. Howard responded: “If we implement Neuralink – can we listen to music directly from our chips?” Musk then replied to Howard’s question with a “Yes”.

The primary aim of Neurolink will be on neurological brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. However, Musk envisions the development as a tool that could help people compete with artificial intelligence. The technology could also help control hormone levels in the human body.

Musk founded Neurolink in 2016 and held its first public presentation last year, in which he elaborated on the technology the company was developing. At the conference, he said he was working on a sewing machine-like device and that the process of fitting the chip into the brain would work in a similar way to Lasik eye surgery.

The startup is currently recruiting staff and has already carried out research trials on animals. Human trials of the chip have been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. More information on Neurolink and the new technology will be released on 28 August.