SpaceX and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk has reportedly launched a new company aimed at providing an interface between a human brain and computer.
The new company called Neuralink will focus on implanting tiny brain electrodes that could make it possible to upload and download thoughts, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.
Musk has played an active role in establishing the California-based firm and may assume a major leadership role, according to the sources.
The company’s formation and the involvement of Musk were confirmed by Max Hodak, who said he is a Neuralink co-founder.
Hodak described Neuralink as “embryonic”, but did not disclose additional details on the new plans.
Earlier, Hodak founded a startup called Transcriptic to make robotic lab services available on the Internet.
At the World Government Summit that was held in Dubai last month, Musk was quoted by CNBC as saying: “Over time I think we will probably see a closer merger of biological intelligence and digital intelligence.
Read more: From artificial intelligence to SpaceX, Tesla and Hyperloop – The Elon Musk technology revolution
“It’s mostly about the bandwidth, the speed of the connection between your brain and the digital version of yourself, particularly output.”
The billionaire entrepreneur said that there is a need for humans to merge with machines, as artificial intelligence (AI) may spread widely.
Musk added: “Some high bandwidth interface to the brain will be something that helps achieve a symbiosis between human and machine intelligence and maybe solves the control problem and the usefulness problem.”
The South African- born business magnate is at the forefront of some of the most futuristic technology developments with the likes of SpaceX, Tesla Motors, Hyperloop and more.
On the 22nd of December 2015, SpaceX successfully landed the first stage of its Falcon rocket back at the launch pad. This was the first time in history this had been completed, the significance of which is that it could significantly lower the cost of space flights due to having a reusable rocket.
