Neuralink: Helping the Blind See? A New Reality from Elon Musk

Imagine a world where blindness is not a life sentence. A world where technology can restore sight to people, even if they have completely lost their vision. This is not a scene from a new science fiction movie, but the real goal that Elon Musk's company, Neuralink, is pursuing with its new project — Blindsight.

What is Neuralink Blindsight and How Does it Work?

Blindsight is a brain implant that its creators intend to restore vision. Unlike other technologies that focus on restoring the function of the eyes, Neuralink goes further. Their chip is implanted directly into the visual cortex of the brain.

The principle of operation is as follows:

• External Camera: A special camera, integrated, for example, into glasses, captures an image of the surrounding world.

• Data Processing: The device converts the video signal into electrical impulses that are understandable to the brain's neurons.

• Brain Stimulation: The Blindsight implant transmits these impulses directly to the visual cortex, effectively "showing" the picture to the brain, bypassing the eyes and optic nerve.

This means that the technology could potentially help even those who were born blind or lost their sight due to eye injury.

From Monkeys to Humans: What Stage is the Project In?

Neuralink has already conducted successful tests on monkeys. According to Elon Musk, the animals with implants are healthy, and the technology has shown its promise.

The next step is human clinical trials. The company has already received "breakthrough device" designation from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), which speeds up the review and approval process. The first human trials are planned for the near future.

It is worth noting that Neuralink already has experience working with humans. Their first patient with an implant for controlling limbs with the power of thought is already demonstrating impressive results, playing chess and video games using their mind.

What Quality Will the "New" Vision Be?

Elon Musk urges not to expect miracles right away. The initial vision that Blindsight will be able to provide will be low-resolution. Musk himself compares it to the graphics of "early Nintendo games."

However, in the long term, the company's ambitions extend much further. Neuralink plans not only to restore vision but to make it "superhuman." In the future, the implant may allow people to see in the infrared and ultraviolet spectrums.

The Future is Here

Neuralink's developments are opening a new era in medicine and neurotechnology. Although mass adoption of Blindsight is still a long way off, and many ethical and technological issues need to be resolved, we are already witnessing how bold scientific ideas are turning into reality, capable of radically changing the lives of millions of people.