Science and Technology
In news: Neuralink, the Elon Musk company is the target of a federal investigation over its animal trial program, has been trying to develop a brain chip that would enable the paralyzed to walk and the blind to see.
- Musk said last week he believes Neuralink can start human clinical trials in six months.
About Neuralink:
- Founded in 2016 by Elon Musk and a group of engineers.
- Neuralink is building a brain chip interface that can be implanted within the skull, which it says could eventually help disabled patients to move and communicate again, and restore vision.
- Neuralink’s device has a chip that processes and transmits neural signals that could be transmitted to devices like a computer or a phone.
- Neuralink has produced several examples of testing aspects of its technology successfully on animals, including a video in 2021 that showed a macaque playing a simple videogame after being implanted with a brain chip.
- It has yet to secure U.S. regulatory approval to move to human trials
- Its competitor Synchron has less ambitious goals for its medical advances.
Application:
- The company hopes that a person would potentially be able to control a mouse, keyboard or other computer functions like text messaging with their thoughts.
- Neuralink also believes its device will eventually be able to restore neural activity inside the body, allowing those with spinal cord injuries to move limbs.
- The San Francisco and Austin-based company also aspires to cure neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Source: Indianexpress
Previous Year Question
Q.1) With reference to Web 3-0, consider the following statements : (2022)
- Web 3-0 technology enables people to control their own data.
- In Web 3-0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks.
- Web 3-0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
