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Neuralink Expands Human Trials, 12 People Now Using Brain Implants

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Elon Musk’s Neuralink announced Tuesday that 12 people worldwide have received its brain implants, marking steady progress in its clinical rollout.

Key Details

  • Patient Numbers: Up from 7 in June, when partner Barrow Neurological Institute confirmed its involvement.

  • Usage Stats: Collectively, patients have logged 2,000 days of implant use and over 15,000 hours of activity, using the device to control both digital and physical tools through thought.

  • Trials Abroad: A new clinical study will launch in the UK, partnering with University College London Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals.

  • Funding: Neuralink raised $650 million in June to support expansion.

Background

  • Neuralink began human trials in 2024 after overcoming U.S. FDA safety objections that initially blocked approval in 2022.

  • The company’s implants are aimed at restoring movement and communication for people with severe paralysis, representing a major step in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology.

Outlook

  • The trials will help Neuralink test long-term safety, reliability, and potential new medical applications.

  • If successful, the technology could pave the way for broader use cases — from medical rehabilitation to advanced human-computer interaction.

Chinese Brain Chip Project Speeds Up Human Trials, Aims for 13 Patients by Year-End

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A Chinese brain chip project, a collaboration between the Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR) and NeuCyber NeuroTech, is accelerating its human trials with the goal of implanting its semi-invasive, wireless Beinao No.1 brain chip into 13 patients by the end of 2025. This move could potentially outpace Elon Musk’s Neuralink in terms of the number of patient data collected.

In the past month, three patients have already received the Beinao No.1 implant, with 10 more scheduled for this year. Next year, the project plans to expand further with a formal clinical trial involving around 50 patients, subject to regulatory approval. This rapid acceleration of human trials could position Beinao No.1 as the brain chip with the highest number of patients worldwide, placing China in direct competition with other leading brain-computer interface (BCI) developers.

While U.S.-based Synchron, which counts Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates as investors, currently leads in human trials with 10 patients, Neuralink’s own wireless brain chips have been tested on three patients. Beinao No.1 is a semi-invasive BCI, placed on the brain’s surface, offering less risk of brain tissue damage compared to Neuralink’s deep brain-implant approach.

Videos recently released by state media showed patients with paralysis using the Beinao No.1 chip to control a robotic arm, showcasing its potential to aid individuals with mobility issues. Despite the early success, CIBR and NeuCyber face challenges in securing sufficient investment, as their project is positioned more for long-term medical benefits than short-term commercial gain.