Elon Musk-backed Neuralink to start human trials
Just_Super/iStock via Getty Images
Neuralink, the neurotechnology company that is working on brain-computer interfaces and was co-founded by Elon Musk, announced on Tuesday that it has received approval to conduct human trials. 
"During the study, the R1 Robot will be used to surgically place the N1 Implantâs ultra-fine and flexible threads in a region of the brain that controls movement intention," the company said in a blog post. "Once in place, the N1 Implant is cosmetically invisible and is intended to record and transmit brain signals wirelessly to an app that decodes movement intention." 
The company added that the intention of the study is to assess the initial functionality of the company's brain-computer interface to enabled paralyzed people to control external devices with their thoughts. 
People who are paralyzed due to a cervical spinal cord injury or have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, may qualify, Neuralink explained.
The company did not say when the study would start, but it did say it will take "approximately" six years to complete. 
In May, Neuralink said that it had received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to conduct human clinical trials of the brain-implant device.
Last month, Neuralink disclosed that it had raised $280M in funding.
In addition to co-founding Neuralink, Musk is also the CEO of Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), SpaceX (SPACE) and is the Chairman of X, formerly known as Twitter.

More on Elon Musk

3 Ways Tesla Benefits From The UAW Strike
The Main Winner In The United Auto Workers Strike Is Tesla (Rating Upgrade)
Tesla: In A Holding Pattern. Or, Something Else?
Tesla Stock: AI Optimism Seems Overblown
Elon Musk denies WSJ report that Tesla's in talks with Saudi Arabia for factory