FDA Okays Elon Musk’s ‘Blindsight’ Brain Chip to Restore Vision for the Blind

Neuralink, the brain-chip company co-founded by Elon Musk, has achieved a significant milestone with its latest device, “Blindsight,” receiving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) breakthrough designation.

This recognition highlights the potential of Blindsight to restore vision to individuals suffering from complete or partial blindness, including those with damaged optic nerves.

Blindsight is designed to help even those who have been blind since birth, provided their visual cortex remains functional.

Initially, the device is expected to offer low-resolution vision, but over time, it holds the potential for users to perceive advanced wavelengths like infrared and ultraviolet, offering possibilities beyond natural sight.

Neuralink, established in 2016, is pioneering brain-computer interfaces aimed at addressing neurological disorders. Its technology includes brain implants capable of reading neural signals and wirelessly transmitting them to external devices.

The company is also working on devices to assist paralyzed individuals in controlling digital tools using their thoughts.

Recent developments include the successful implantation of Neuralink’s brain-computer interface in a second patient, who is now able to control video games and design 3D objects using thought alone.