In a groundbreaking evolution in medical technology, individuals who have lost the ability to move or communicate may soon have an innovative option available: surgically implanted devices that enable a direct link between the brain and a computer.
More than twenty years after the first demonstrations showed that a person could control a computer cursor using only their thoughts, numerous firms are looking to transition the brain-computer interface (BCI) from theoretical research into commercially viable products.
Michael Mager, the CEO of Precision Neuroscience, emphasizes that the time has come to move beyond academic research. “We know it works, we know the enabling technologies are now ready. It’s time to turn this academic work into a thriving industry that can make a big impact on people’s lives,” Mager stated confidently.
Currently, several experimental brain-computer interfaces have already been implanted into dozens of participants. These cutting-edge devices not only work wirelessly but are also implanted under the skin, allowing seamless communication with smartphones and tablets.
Among the most recognized names in the BCI sector is Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which has captured public attention. Nevertheless, the very first product to hit the market may well come from other competitors like Precision, Blackrock Neurotech, Paradromics, or Synchron.
Some companies, such as Blackrock, possess considerably more experience in this domain than Neuralink. Others are leveraging less invasive technologies that may offer safer options, streamlining the path toward obtaining approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
The initial target demographic for these BCI devices primarily includes individuals who have paralysis due to spinal injuries or diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The early models are expected to empower users to control a computer cursor or even generate artificial speech.
At the core of these implanted BCIs is the ability to detect and decode brain signals related to movement and speech. These signals let the system know when users are attempting to move a limb or speak a word.
Typically, a BCI system is composed of sensors that monitor brain activity, an interface that interprets the signals, and an external device that executes actions based on thought. Consequently, this leads to outcomes such as cursor movement, prosthetic operations, or generating synthesized speech.
Neuralink refers to this impressive capability as “telepathy,” a concept that encapsulates the potential for individuals to interact with devices purely through their thoughts.
The public’s interest in BCIs surged in early 2024 when a charismatic figure named Noland Arbaugh, paralyzed from the shoulders down following a diving accident, became the first recipient of Neuralink’s device.
In a miraculous procedure, a robot inserted over a thousand electrodes into Arbaugh’s motor cortex, followed by human surgeons placing a wireless interface about the size of a quarter in his skull at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.
A few weeks later, Arbaugh presented his experience at Neuralink’s headquarters in Fremont, California, showcasing the astounding ability to control a computer cursor using only his thoughts.
“It’s freakin’ wild,” Arbaugh exclaimed. “When I first moved it just by thinking, it blew my mind for like a day. I just could not wrap my head around it.”
His compelling story gained immense traction, with a video of his remarks racking up more than 25 million views on Musk’s social media platform, X.
However, not all news was favorable; shortly after Arbaugh’s presentation, Neuralink announced that some electrodes in his brain had retracted, thereby reducing the device’s sensitivity.
Despite these challenges, Neuralink has since reported implanting its BCI in at least six other individuals, yet details concerning these trials remain limited.
Interestingly, while Neuralink’s developments feel modern and revolutionary, the foundational concept of using brain signals to manipulate a cursor is not new.
Dr. Leigh Hochberg, who is affiliated with both Brown University and Massachusetts General Hospital, was part of pioneering research back in 2004 that demonstrated this very ability using traditional wiring methods.
One of their subjects was Matt Nagle, a man whose life was changed after being paralyzed from a stabbing incident. Hochberg’s team successfully linked Nagle’s brain to a computer, enabling him to open an email with his thoughts.
Reflecting on this experience, Hochberg noted, “It was exactly what was supposed to happen, and even for all of us that were expecting it — there was a little bit of magic there.”
Nagle tragically passed away in 2007 due to an unrelated infection, but his case set the foundation for the ongoing study of BCIs.
The project, known as BrainGate, has evolved into an academic consortium led by Hochberg. More recent developments demonstrate how far the field has come; in June 2025, a team at the University of California, Davis reported that a BrainGate 2 BCI enabled a man with ALS to communicate through a computer.
The synthesized voice expressed sincere messages, stating, “I. Am. Good,” albeit in a slightly halting manner, word by word, built from the individual’s previous recorded voice.
According to Hochberg, such experiments reveal significant advancements: rather than simply monitoring a few dozen neurons, current technology can tap into thousands, utilizing wireless protocols for data transmission rather than cumbersome wiring.
Moreover, scientists are increasingly enhancing the accuracy and reliability of decoding brain activity. Recently, some have integrated artificial intelligence to better recognize the unique neural patterns that indicate a person’s intent to perform tasks like speaking or even picking up an object.
The field of BCIs is diversifying, with specific groups concentrating on particular aspects, such as decoding speech or improving robotic limb control.
Interestingly, some research teams are exploring ways to send information back into the brain. This could allow users to experience a sense of touch when operating robotic limbs, enhancing usability.
The University of Pittsburgh is at the forefront of such innovations regarding sensory feedback in BCIs.
According to Jennifer Collinger, a professor at the University, achieving fine motor control requires more than just visual feedback; a sense of touch is essential.
Collinger and her research partners have been working alongside Blackrock Neurotech, whose technology has been used experimentally in many individuals.
One prominent participant is Nathan Copeland, who became paralyzed due to a car accident. In a notable encounter in 2016, Copeland used a robotic arm to fist-bump President Barack Obama.
In 2021, Copeland’s participation in a study revealed that sensory feedback improved his ability to manipulate objects using a prosthetic hand.
“With sensation, I could feel that the hand had made contact,” he shared in an NPR interview. “I could also tell if I had a firm grip on it or not.”
However, the complex components of sensory feedback are unlikely to be incorporated into the first generation of implanted devices available to consumers. Instead, early models are expected to focus on more basic functionalities, such as controlling a computer cursor, reminiscent of the initial lab trials from over 20 years ago.
“There’s been enough consistent success that now companies are saying, ‘Okay we can offer a first-generation device to people that will offer some kind of benefit to them,'” remarked Collinger, providing insight into the current state of the industry.
Among the companies poised to jump into the market is Precision Neuroscience, founded by Ben Rapoport, a neurosurgeon and engineer with ties to Neuralink.
Mager explained that Precision’s immediate goal revolves around developing a wireless device that enables individuals with paralysis to operate commonly used devices like smartphones or computers.
“If you can operate those programs as well as someone who is able-bodied, it’s quality-of-life enhancing — and it’s also potentially enabling for people to go back to work,” Mager elaborated.
Precision’s device will employ a very thin film that sits on the brain’s surface without causing penetration or damage, a significant differentiation from Neuralink’s invasive approach.
Mager insists that this method could not only enhance safety but also facilitate a smoother FDA approval process.
In a notable advancement, Synchron’s technology eliminates the need to open the skull altogether; instead, it utilizes micro-electrodes delivered through the bloodstream, implementing techniques initially designed to insert stents into blocked arteries.
Nonetheless, the companies face shared challenges across the industry.
Mager highlighted the overwhelming amount of data generated: “We’re sampling from thousands of electrodes, thousands of times a second, and the amount of data that comes off of these systems is just enormous.”
Such vast quantities of data present challenges for current wireless communication systems, driving companies to explore ways to compress or transmit data more efficiently.
Moreover, financing clinical trials necessary for FDA approval poses another substantial hurdle, potentially costing hundreds of millions of dollars.
Despite these obstacles, Mager remains optimistic. He firmly believes that his company, along with several other enterprises in this sector, possesses the resourcefulness and expertise to transform the concept of brain-computer interfaces into practical and marketable products.
image source from：npr
