Neuralink Chip Could Give You Infrared Vision!

Elon Musk’s Neuralink is developing a groundbreaking brain implant, Blindsight, in monkeys.
The implant is designed to restore vision and may even bestow “superhuman abilities” such as infrared vision.

Breakthrough in Brain-Computer Interfaces

At a recent conference, Neuralink engineer Joseph O’Doherty revealed that the Blindsight implant was able to successfully stimulate vision-related brain regions in a monkey.

During test sessions, the monkey moved its eyes toward visual targets scientists instructed it to imagine at least two-thirds of the time, a major milestone in visual neuroscience.

Vision Enhancement and Superhuman Abilities

Blindsight goes beyond restoring vision.
It is expected to enhance human visual capabilities. O’Doherty shared that Neuralink plans to integrate the chip with vision-enhancing glasses, projecting augmented information directly into the brain.

This innovation may propel human senses beyond their natural limits, signaling a revolutionary shift in brain-machine interface technology.

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Regulatory Status: Human Trials Still Awaiting Approval

Despite these promising results, Blindsight is not yet approved for human use in the United States.

While the monkey studies show potential, the translation to human applications remains uncertain.
Earlier this year, Musk confirmed that Blindsight has been tested on monkeys for years and that human trials are expected to begin later this year.

Surgical Strategy for Human Use

Monkey trials offer important insights because a monkey’s visual cortex lies closer to the brain’s surface, allowing easier testing.

For humans, Neuralink plans to use its precision surgery robot to insert the implant into deeper cortical regions.
This robotic approach is expected to ensure more accurate and safer implantations for future human trials.

Conclusion

With Blindsight, Neuralink is pushing the boundaries of neuroscience, AI, and sensory augmentation. While we’re still awaiting regulatory clearance, this innovation holds the promise of redefining what human vision could be in the years ahead.