Originally inspired by the science fiction concept of neural lace portrayed in Iain M. Banks’ The Culture series, Neuralink is designing a fully integrated BCI system, a sophisticated setup designed to facilitate direct communication between the brain and external devices. Learn more about Neuralink’s history and milestones in today’s blog.

Neuralink’s History & Milestones

Neuralink was co-founded by Elon Musk and seven other engineers and scientists in 2016. Musk’s intention was to create another “layer” to the brain to complement the functions of existing layers like the limbic system and the cortex.[1] The company aims to pioneer a brain-computer interface (BCI) that bridges the gap between humans and computers via an implantable device to improve human cognitive abilities and potentially neurological conditions.

The company’s mission is to create a generalized brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs today and unlock human potential tomorrow. Neuralink is hoping to give people with quadriplegia the ability to control their computers and mobile devices with their thoughts. In the future, the company hopes to restore additional capabilities such as vision, motor function, and speech to eventually expand the way people can experience the world.

Neuralink’s Products

As of April 2025, Neuralink has 61 patents.[2] The company is aiming for its implants to enable humans to control a mouse, keyboard, or other technology with their brain using neural impulses as data. The following are current products of Neuralink:

The Link

The Link, or alternatively referred to as “N1”, is Neuralink’s initial BCI product prototype.[3] The device is designed to record neural activity from 1,024 electrodes across 64 flexible leads.[4] It also performs real-time neural activity detection, with the data sent wirelessly to computer devices. The implant is placed surgically under the scalp so that it is cosmetically invisible and can be used without any physical connectors to external devices. The first implant took place in January 2024, and the company has since been able to implant a total of three N1 implants into patients, with the goal of implanting 20-30 more by the end of 2025.[5]

Components of The Link

The Link encompasses three main components:

The Link: sealed, implanted device engineered to process, stimulate, and transmit neural signals
Neural Threads: contain many electrodes for detecting neural signals and are inserted into areas of the brain that control movement with each thread containing many electrodes that are connected to the implant
The Charger: designed to wirelessly connect to the implant to charge the battery from the outside of the brain

Precision Automated Neurosurgery

Neuralink’s surgical robot, equipped with a head that houses the optics and sensors for five camera systems and an optical coherence tomography system, is mounted on a base that provides three-axis linear motion designed for precise positioning. This machinery is engineered to insert fine implant threads, which are too delicate for human hands, using a needle finer than a human hair to accurately place and release them.

Blindsight

In March 2024, Musk announced that Neuralink’s next product is expected to be a vision chip called Blindsight, aimed at helping individuals recover or restore vision. Blindsight is being built to function by delivering electrical impulses directly to a volunteer’s visual cortex, generating spots of light known as phosphenes.

When enough of these spots are produced, they can be arranged into a basic, pixelated form of vision, a concept previously demonstrated by academic researchers. Neuralink’s Blindsight device received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in September 2024, which could help fast-track its development.

Neuralink App

The Neuralink app is in the process of being developed to allow users to control their iOS device, keyboard, or cursor using the activity of their brain. The app could potentially guide users through exercises that teach them how to control the device. Additionally, with a Bluetooth connection, Neuralink hopes to enable the user to control any cursor or keyboard unmediated with only their thoughts.

Applications

Paralysis

One of Neuralink’s first goals is to help people with paralysis gain the ability to control external devices with their thoughts. In January 2024, Neuralink successfully implanted its N1 chip into a human patient with paralysis for the first time and has implanted the device into a total of three patients as of February 2025.

Spinal Cord Injuries and ALS

To help achieve its goals of helping people with paralysis, Neuralink began recruiting patients for its first human clinical trial of its brain-computer interface technology in September 2023, looking for volunteers who have quadriplegia caused by a cervical spinal cord injury or ALS. Since then, Neuralink has been able to implant its N1 chip into three patients with this clinical trial.

Vision

Another application involves restoring vision. Musk announced in March 2024 that Neuralink’s next product is expected to be a vision chip called Blindsight, aimed at helping individuals recover or restore vision. Later that year in September, Neuralink received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, which could help fast-track its development.

Neurological Disorders and Beyond

Other potential applications of Neuralink’s devices include treating neurological disorders, enhancing cognitive abilities, and improving communication for non-verbal individuals.

Neuralink Milestones

Neuralink has achieved multiple milestones within the last few years. Some of its milestones are but not limited to the following:

Blindsight implant: As of March 2025, Neuralink hopes to perform the first human Blindsight implant be the end of 2025, which could potentially enable someone who is completely blind to see[6]
Patient trials: As of January 2025, Neuralink has implanted three of its N1 chips into human patients and plans to implant the experimental device in 20 to 30 more people this year[7]
New clinical study: Neuralink announced a new study to connect its brain implant with a robotic arm in November 2024, which could allow individuals with paralysis to control prosthetic limbs using only their thoughts
Clinical trial approval in Canada: Neuralink received approval to begin clinical trials for its brain implant in Canada in November 2024, marking its first international expansion beyond the U.S.
Patent portfolio: As of April 2025, Neuralink holds 61 patents worldwide
Last funding details: The company raised a $323 million Series D funding round in November 2023 led by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and 31 other investors including Capital Advantage Ventures and Oak Grove Ventures[8]

Neuralink Funding

Neuralink has raised over $686 million and is valued at $8 billion as of March 2025.[9] Neuralink’s most recent funding round was a $280 million Series D round in August 2023, with a $43 million extension in November 2023,[10] bringing its total amount raised for its Series D to $323 million.[11] Some of Neuralink’s larger investors include Founders Fund, Valor Equity Partners, Vy Capital, Google Ventures, and Craft Ventures, among others.[12]

Final Thoughts

Since its founding in 2016, Neuralink has been working towards finding a solution for people with quadriplegia or vision issues by developing the Link to be implanted into human patients. It has already implanted its device into three patients and hopes to implant it into 20-30 more people this year. From restoring basic functions like mobility and vision to exploring enhanced cognition and communication, Neuralink’s innovations are laying the groundwork for a new era of human-machine integration. The company’s advancements in brain-computer interface systems mark a bold step toward a future where physical limitations may no longer define human potential.

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[1] https://research.contrary.com/company/neuralink

[2] https://insights.greyb.com/neuralink-patents/

[3] https://neuralink.com/

[4] https://neuralink.com/blog/prime-study-progress-update/

[5] https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-computer-interface-9dbc92206389f27fd032825cf1597ee5

[6] https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/elon-musks-neuralink-targets-first-blindsight-implant-in-a-human-by-end-of-2025-470083-2025-04-01

[7] https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-computer-interface-9dbc92206389f27fd032825cf1597ee5

[8] https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/25/neuralink-elon-musks-brain-implant-startup-quietly-raises-an-additional-43m/

[9] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-power-players-neuralink-elon-120245724.html

[10] https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/25/neuralink-elon-musks-brain-implant-startup-quietly-raises-an-additional-43m/

[11] https://www.reuters.com/technology/musks-neuralink-raises-280-mln-latest-fundraise-2023-08-07/

[12] https://www.crunchbase.com/discover/principal.investors/field/organizations/num_investors/neuralink

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Mind Over Machine: Neuralink’s History and Milestones