Neuralink's Blindsight Implant Ready for Approval

Elon Musk stated that the Neuralink implant designed to restore vision for blind individuals is ready for regulatory approval. He mentioned that the company is waiting only for official approval before moving forward with human trials.

Musk's Vision for Paralyzed Patients

Musk expressed hope that within a few years, Neuralink's technology could help paralyzed individuals regain the use of their hands and legs. He described a future where signals from the brain could be sent directly to the limbs, bypassing damaged spinal cords.

Blindsight's Promise and Limitations

Musk described Blindsight as a technology that could allow people who have never seen to gain vision. He claimed this would be achieved by sending electrical signals directly to the visual cortex, bypassing the eyes and optic nerves. However, no human has yet received the implant, and no one has regained the ability to walk using it.

Early Neuralink Trials and Challenges

In January 2024, Noland Arbaugh, a tetraplegic, became the first patient to receive a Neuralink implant. However, complications arose when some electrode wires retracted from his brain, requiring engineers to adjust their algorithms to restore his control over a cursor.

Growth in Neuralink's Trials

Neuralink reported that by the end of January 2026, 21 participants had enrolled in its trials, up from 12 people implanted in September 2025. Musk had previously set a goal of implanting a thousand patients by 2026 and promised large-scale production and nearly fully automated surgery by the end of 2025.

Telepathy and Neural Control

The Telepathy system uses a surgical robot to place electrode wires in the motor cortex. This allows participants to control external devices with their thoughts, such as moving a cursor or drawing. Musk envisions this technology eventually enabling faster communication than speaking or typing.

Restoring Speech and Movement

Neuralink is also testing the control of a robotic arm and exploring the restoration of speech through the VOICE trial. However, none of these trials involve restoring the ability to walk, as that would require additional technological advancements.

Restoring Walking Without the Spinal Cord

Musk envisions a future where the brain's signals can be captured and sent directly to the limbs, bypassing the spinal cord. He has expressed confidence in this approach but has not detailed how the implant would be connected to the nerves of the arms and legs.

Blindsight's Regulatory Status

The Blindsight implant has not yet been tested in humans. The U.S. health authority designated it as an innovative device in September 2024, which allows for faster communication with the FDA but does not grant approval for human trials.

Musk's Claims and Lack of Human Data

During a meeting in Wisconsin in March 2025, Musk claimed the first human implantation of Blindsight would occur by the end of the year. However, Neuralink has only tested the device in monkeys and has not published any clinical trials involving humans. The company has not specified which authority must approve the implant or in which country the first human trial would take place.