Elon Musk's Neuralink unveiled in 2019 its plan to implant paralyzed patients with electrodes that will help them work with computers or smartphones with their minds.
Paralysis is the loss of muscle function in some parts of the body. It can be complete or partial and can occur one or both sides of the body. Most of it is caused by nerve diseases, autoimmune disease, Bell's palsy, strokes, and injuries.
With the help of Elon Musk's new technology, they will have the ability to control computers and smartphones using their thoughts.
"A lot of people have written this off like it's impossible," says Neuralink President Max Hodak. "There will be great things to come in this field in the next decade, and they should take it seriously," he added.
One year away from the 'Six Milion Dollar Man'
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he is just one year away from creating the 'Six Million Dollar Man.' He said that the new device would help improve the paralyzed person's vision, strength, and host of other injuries connected to the brain.
Daily Star reported that the electrode would be inserted carefully into the brain that no one will know that somebody has it.
"In principle, it can fix almost anything that is wrong with the brain, and it can restore limb functionality," Musk said. "People can walk around and be normal - maybe slightly better - like the six million dollar man though these days that would be cheap."
The device is about an inch in diameter, has a battery, Bluetooth, and a charger. It will be inserted into the brain by a robot.
Moreover, the device will help not only those paralyzed people but also those with brain injuries such as epilepsy, stroke, muscle control, memory, and eyesight, according to a report by The Sun.
The device will act as a substitute for circuits that are broken due to injuries or diseases.
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The Six Million Dollar Man
In 1970, Lee Major starred in the hit TV series Six Million Dollar Man. He played the character of Colonel Steve Austin, an astronaut who was severely injured in a crash.
He was rebuilt using bionic implants and given a new arm, two new legs, and a new left eye, which gave him superhuman strength, speed, and vision.
Musk is hopeful that his company can finish making the new technology in a year. He also hopes that it could help paralyzed people restore some functionality that they have lost. He admitted that there is still a lot of work to do before they succeed in this project.
Recently, Musk made history by sending two astronauts into the International Space Station, which his company, SpaceX, built.
Musk believes that it is essential to create a link between computers and the brain for human survival.
