Elon Musk claims he will reveal a ‘working’ version of his Neuralink computer chip brain implant

The SpaceX tycoon says he will also show the latest machine for undertaking the cyborg surgery
How the brain chip implant could work, as shown in a previous company video
Neuralink

Elon Musk has claimed his Neuralink company will demonstrate a “working” version of their “brain-machine interface” chip.

He announced a live webcast on the project as he teased further details about how artificial intelligence-powered computing might be connected to a human.

Musk had previously said a “progress report” would show “neurons firing in real time” to demonstrate linking the body’s muscles with a machine, with the goal of treating neurological injuries and trauma.

The SpaceX and Tesla chief executive made the announcement of a "working device" on Twitter on Wednesday along with the second generation of a robot that the firm would use to embed implants into a person's brain.

Musk added the details about the robo-surgeon after being asked whether the Neuralink startup, which has more than $158 million in startup funding, would also be showing an updated version of the implant droid unveiled last summer.

Implanting the chip would require similar delicate work to Lasik laser eye surgery, which according to Musk was "still far" off but they "could get pretty close in a few years".

There has previously been one event showing off the startup's technology, when Musk showcased designs for a sewing machine-like device capable of stitching threads into a human head.

Human trials have yet to be announced, although the controversial surgical technology has reportedly already been tested on animals.

The progress report on the project is due at 11pm GMT (3pm PST).

Tech commentator Tim Urban previously wrote on his website Wait But Why: "I’m convinced that it somehow manages to eclipse Tesla and SpaceX in both the boldness of its engineering undertaking and the grandeur of its mission.

"The other two companies aim to redefine what future humans will do - Neuralink wants to redefine what future humans will be."

It comes after Canadian scientists claimed they had moved closer to integrating computer electronics with the human brain by using stretchy organic materials to conduct electronic signals.

Researchers at the University of Delaware in the US found the kind of chemical enabling smartphone screens to be touch responsive could be deployed as a transmission “interface” between electronics and delicate neurological tissue.

Traditional microelectronic materials - such as silicon, gold and stainless steel - can cause scarring to cells when implanted.

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