Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Elon Musk Unveils Brain Implant To Help People With Neural Disorders
ABC News: Elon Musk Unveils Brain Chip Implant: 'It's Like A Fitbit In Your Skull'
Tech mogul Elon Musk unveiled his latest foray into science fiction Friday night: a brain chip implant to allow people who are paralyzed to operate technology, such as smartphones or robotic limbs, with their thoughts. "I think it's going to blow your minds," Musk said. "It's like a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires." (Schumaker, 8/29)
Stat: Elon Musk's Neuralink Unveils Prototype Of Brain Implants
Elon Musk on Friday unveiled a coin-sized prototype of a brain implant developed by his startup Neuralink to enable people who are paralyzed to operate smartphones and robotic limbs with their thoughts — and said the company had worked to “dramatically simplify” the device since presenting an earlier version last summer. In an event live-streamed on YouTube to more than 150,000 viewers at one point, the company staged a demonstration in which it trotted out a pig named Gertrude that was said to have had the company’s device implanted in its head two months ago; the live stream showed what Musk claimed to be Gertrude’s real-time brain activity as it sniffed around a pen. (Robbins and Brodwin, 8/28)
AP: Elon Musk Wants YOU To Build A Brain-Computer Interface
In a video demonstration Friday explicitly aimed at recruiting new employees, Musk showed off a prototype of the device. About the size of a large coin, it’s designed to be implanted in a person’s skull. Ultra-thin wires hanging form the device would go directly into the brain. An earlier version of the device would have been placed behind an ear like a hearing aid. (Ortutay, 8/29)
