A HI-TECH chip that’s lodged into the brain could be implanted into a human for the first time next year, Elon Musk says.
The billionaire’s Neuralink firm has been working on a device that could allow those with physical disabilities to control a computer with their thoughts.
But the Tesla founder also has his sights on bigger things, aiming to one day restore full-body functionality to quadriplegic sufferers.
Speaking to Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council Conference, Musk said he is “cautiously optimistic”.
He boasted that his company’s standards for implanting the device are higher than what the US health and safety agency, the FDA, demands.
“I think we have a chance with Neuralink to restore full-body functionality to someone who has a spinal cord injury,” he said.
“I think we have a chance, and I emphasise a chance, to be able to allow someone who cannot walk or use their arms to be able to walk again naturally.
“I don’t want to raise hopes unreasonably, but I’m increasingly convinced that this could be done.”
Read More: Elon Musk vows to implant ‘brain chips that control your PC’ in HUMANS in 2022
