Watch The Neuralink Progress Update Summer 2020 (as it happened)

3.56PM PST: Gertrude finally decides to get involved. The animal has had the Neuralink implant for over 2 months and looks healthy and happy. The chip is shown reading live brain activity which can be used to predict the movement of the pigs limbs, opening up possibilities to treat paralysis.

4.00PM PST: Brain writing capabilities, the chip is able to read and write across all 1024 channels, with a wireless range of 4m. The FDA has given Neuralink Breakthrough Device designation, with first human implementation coming soon, pending further approvals and safety tests. Elon claims safety will be the “top priority” and will exceed FDA safety guidelines.

4.03PM PST: Recruiting call: The purpose of the demo is to recruit the best talent in the fields of materials, electronics, biology, robotics, surgery, software development, neuroscience and animal care. Applicants can send their details to engineering@neuralink.com.

4.05PM PST: Live Q&A with Neuralink answering questions from the public.

4.10PM PST: Low hanging fruit, or better explained, low bandwidth signals including motions, means the Neuralink team is confident early breakthroughs helping people with paralysis are very likely early use cases. “Could the device be used for gaming?” “Definitely, a good measure stick would be if a quadriplegic can play StarCraft”.

4:15PM PST: What are the biggest challenges to overcome for Neurolink to achieve its objective? Material science, specifically lowering the threads to sub micron size as well as improving the surgical implementation.

4:25PM PST: What are the likely first use applications for Neuralink? Quadriplegia, paralysis and spinal damage patients will be the first to use the device. Elon adds that a second device could be installed on the spine (below the severed cord) and could potentially restore ability to walk naturally by passing signals to/from the brain.

4.30PM PST: “Are there plans to attempt to “download” memories to access later, or for others to view/experience?“ Elon says yes, admitting this is sounding more and more like an episode of Black Mirror.

4.35PM PST: What about security? What precautions are being taken? “Privacy and security is a top priority at Neuralink” Data going to/from brain will be encrypted and authenticated. Neuralink team claims since they are developing both the hardware and software, they have a unique ability to ensure failsafes are deeply embedded in the chip.

4.40PM PST: What will be the cost of the implant? The plan is to get the surgery down to costs similar to lasek eye surgery, possibly several thousand dollars US. The device on the other hand should be quite low cost with mass production.