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Elon Musk’s $50,000 Neuralink brain chip explained as third patient has it implanted

A third person has recently had a brain chip from Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, implanted in their brain. This has made many people curious about what the chip does and how it works.

Neuralink is a company started by Elon Musk in 2016. About a year ago, the first brain chip was implanted in a person named Noland Arbaugh. He was able to do amazing things, like play video games, just by using his mind!

This week, during an interview in Las Vegas that was streamed on Twitter, Musk confirmed:
“We’ve got… three humans with Neuralinks, and all are working well.”

How Does Neuralink Work?

Getting a chip implanted into your brain might sound like something from a crazy science fiction movie. But this is real!

In May 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is in charge of making sure medical devices are safe, gave Neuralink permission to test the chip on humans.

The results so far have been amazing. For example, Noland Arbaugh, who became paralyzed below his shoulders after a diving accident, showed how he could:

  • Play chess and video games.
  • Learn new languages.

All of this was possible even though he couldn’t use his hands.

Neuralink works by focusing on small parts of the brain called neurons. It collects data from these neurons and translates thoughts into actions. This makes it different from other brain chips, which don’t work in such detail.

How Are Neuralink Chips Implanted?

The chip itself is very small—smaller than a 50-cent coin. To implant it, doctors put the chip inside the skull. Tiny wires are attached to specific parts of the brain.

Here’s how it works:

  • The chip records signals from the brain and decodes them.
  • These signals are sent back to a device that can turn them into actions.
  • This means users can control things, like computers or video games, just by thinking!

Neuralink has also created a robot that helps doctors safely implant the chip during surgery.

Since the first implant, Musk says Neuralink has improved the chip by adding:

  • More electrodes (which connect to the brain).
  • Faster performance (higher bandwidth).
  • Longer battery life.

Musk also hopes to implant the chip in 30 more people this year.

How Much Does a Neuralink Chip Cost?

The cost of a Neuralink chip is not cheap. According to reports, it costs about $10,500 for the chip, tests, and the surgery.

But the total cost could go up to $50,000 or more. This includes:

  • The cost for insurance companies.
  • The surgical procedure.
  • Special equipment that makes the chip work.

It’s possible the price could get even higher in the future as the technology improves.

What Could Neuralink Chips Do in the Future?

Elon Musk has big dreams for Neuralink. He hopes the chip will be able to do things like:

  • Improve memory and brainpower.
  • Fix problems with movement, sight, and senses.
  • Help treat diseases like epilepsy and Parkinson’s.

Right now, the chip is still in the testing stage. It could take a long time before these uses are available to the public.

If you’re excited to try something like this in the future, you might want to start saving up now!

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