IT之家 October 31 news: Musk revealed that Neuralink’s second brain-computer interface device, Blindsight, has completed engineering development and now only awaits regulatory clearance. This device is intended to help blind people and those who have never had vision since birth gain visual ability. However, to date, no publicly disclosed and confirmed human implant trial results exist.
On the 30th, Musk posted on X: “From an engineering development standpoint, the device is ready, just waiting for regulatory approval.”
Unlike Neuralink’s previously launched first implant device, “Blindsight” does not read brain activity and transmit signals outward, but rather inputs information into the brain in reverse. The device converts images captured by a camera into signals and delivers them to the brain’s visual cortex, attempting to bypass the damaged eyes and optic nerve so that users can obtain visual information.
In September 2024, the FDA granted “Blindsight” Breakthrough Device designation to expedite the approval review. However, this designation neither means that the FDA has confirmed the device is safe and effective, nor does it mean the product has obtained marketing authorization. “Blindsight” is still in the clinical trial stage.
In August this year, Musk revealed that if regulatory approval is obtained, Neuralink plans to conduct human implants within the next 6 to 12 months. As of now, the company has not published human trial results for “Blindsight”.
In terms of animal testing, Neuralink has conducted long-term tests; as of mid-2025, one monkey had had the device continuously implanted for three years.
In addition to Blindsight, Musk also introduced Neuralink’s first product, Telepathy. This device can allow paralyzed patients to control computers through brain signals. “Just by thinking, one can communicate at high speed with a computer or other people.”
Musk predicts that in the coming years, the information output capability of “Telepathy” will far exceed the fastest human speaking and typing speeds. He also hopes that in the future Neuralink will be able to transmit motor and sensory signals to the limbs, allowing patients who have lost mobility to use their hands again, or even regain the ability to walk.
IT之家 attaches the main current information on the two products as follows:
Project
Main functions
Regulatory status
Publicly disclosed human trial situation
Telepathy
Control computers and communicate through thought
Still in the clinical research stage; the PRIME study began human implantation in January 2024
Has demonstrated cursor control and other digital interactions
Blindsight
Input visual information into the brain’s visual cortex
Received Breakthrough Device designation in September 2024, not yet approved for marketing
No publicly confirmed human trial results yet
VOICE research functions
Restore verbal communication, make phone calls, voice input, and control AI agents
Still in the clinical research stage
Related functions have been demonstrated, but no quantitative performance data has been published