Elon Musk recently announced he would be launching a new project called Neuralink, which is intended to help people in remote areas connect with each other and the rest of the world. The idea is that it will work by using satellites to provide wireless internet access.
The project was announced during a conference call with analysts, investors and reporters on Wednesday. It's not clear yet how much money Musk has invested in it or how much it will cost to create.
The CEO of Space Exploration Technologies Corp., which owns Musk's rocket company SpaceX, said on the call that he hopes to have the first system up and running by 2020 or 2021. He also said that he plans to make "substantially" more money from the project than from selling his electric cars, Tesla Inc., which has struggled financially in recent years.
Elon Musk's Neuralink project is a brain-computer interface project that aims to improve human communication by creating a direct link between the human brain and a machine. The project was announced in January 2019, with an online open call for researchers interested in helping develop this technology.
The goal of Neuralink Technology is to create a way for humans to communicate with machines more easily. Musk believes that one day, he may be able to speak with his car or computer while he drives. He also plans to use neuralink technology on himself.
The project is still in its early stages, but Musk has already become involved in the testing phase by providing funding for further research via his company SpaceX. The hope is that this will help accelerate progress on the technology so that it can be used by more people soon after testing begins.
While there are many challenges ahead for Neuralink, including finding ways to keep the device secure while still allowing people with different needs access to it, Musk remains optimistic about its potential impact: "I really believe that this could help change someone's life," he told Wired magazine recently.
The goal of Neuralink is to create a wireless link between a driverless car and an autonomous wheelchair. This way, drivers who have limited mobility can control their vehicle from the comfort of their home.
The company's website describes this as "a significant step forward in enabling individuals with disabilities (including those suffering from spinal cord injuries) to enjoy safer, more convenient mobility." A recent survey by the National Federation for the Blind found that half of Americans with disabilities are unable to drive alone, even if they are able to drive in public spaces without supervision or assistance from others.
Neuralink has already developed a demonstration model for testing its technology at home. The company plans to begin selling the device on its website in 2023. "This technology will improve lives," Musk said in a statement about Neuralink last year.