Vesna N
August 30, 2020
Image Credits: Woke Studio
After Elon Musk demonstrated his startup Neuralink’s brain link device working in a pig named Gertrude, but the surgical robot the company debuted is of the same importance.
The rounded, sci-fi design of the polycarbonate brain surgeon robot indeed looks quite futuristic, but the Vancouver-based industrial design firm Woke Studio is actually the one responsible for its creation. Elon Musk’s engineers and scientists created the underlying technology, but Woke built the design and user experience of the robot, as well as the final piece of behind-the-ear communication Neuralink demonstrated in previous presentations.
As mentioned above, Musk has previously demonstrated his startup Neuralink’s brain link device working in a pig, however, the robot is of at least equal importance, since it is designed to control the entire surgical process of installation. “That includes opening up the scalp, removing a portion of the skull, inserting the hundreds of ‘thread’ electrodes 6mm deep along with the accompanying chip, then closing the incision,” reports CNET.
Neuralink’s robot features clean, white, arcing lines and smooth surfaces for a look that immediately flags its advanced technical capabilities. Moreover, it contains some soothing and more approachable elements, as well, which is pretty smart, considering the very purpose of the machine and what is it intended to do.
Woke reveled that the Neuralink surgical robot can be divided into three main parts:
head
body
base
The first part, a robot’s head is a helmet-like piece, which actually holds the patient’s head and contains a guide for the surgical needle, as well as built-in cameras and sensors for mapping the patent brain.
The intent of the design of this piece, which includes the mint-colored interior, is to give the robot anthropomorphic characteristics, which would help with the distraction from the invasive nature of the procedure itself. Disposable bags can also be found, an they line the inside of the helmet for sterile operation.
The second element of Neuralink’s robot is a body, that humped rear assembly, which includes all the parts responsible for the movement of the robot as it sets up from the procedure.
The third element is the base, which pretty much prevents the whole thing from tipping over, and it apparently contains the computer brain of the robot brain itself.
Neuralink company explained in a press release the following: “While the patient may not be awake to see the machine in action, it was still important to design a non-intimidating robot that can aesthetically live alongside the iconic machines in Musk’s portfolio. It also needed to meet a long list of medical requirements in terms of sterility and maintenance, and provide safe and seamless utilization for its operators.”
Neuralink
Neuralink is a company founded by Elon Musk that wants to mitigate what Elon Musk sees as a potential existential threat to human life – the rise of general artificial intelligence.
Although its short-term goals are aimed at helping to address medical conditions caused by brain tissue damage, Musk also ultimately hopes that Neuralink will be able to help people keep up with advanced artificial intelligence, by providing them with a latency-free and direct high-bandwith concentration to their computers – using direct thought input.
After Elon Musk demonstrated his startup Neuralink’s brain link device working in a pig named Gertrude, but the surgical robot the company debuted is of the same importance.
The rounded, sci-fi design of the polycarbonate brain surgeon robot indeed looks quite futuristic, but the Vancouver-based industrial design firm Woke Studio is actually the one responsible for its creation. Elon Musk’s engineers and scientists created the underlying technology, but Woke built the design and user experience of the robot, as well as the final piece of behind-the-ear communication Neuralink demonstrated in previous presentations.
As mentioned above, Musk has previously demonstrated his startup Neuralink’s brain link device working in a pig, however, the robot is of at least equal importance, since it is designed to control the entire surgical process of installation. “That includes opening up the scalp, removing a portion of the skull, inserting the hundreds of ‘thread’ electrodes 6mm deep along with the accompanying chip, then closing the incision,” reports CNET.
Neuralink’s robot features clean, white, arcing lines and smooth surfaces for a look that immediately flags its advanced technical capabilities. Moreover, it contains some soothing and more approachable elements, as well, which is pretty smart, considering the very purpose of the machine and what is it intended to do.
Woke reveled that the Neuralink surgical robot can be divided into three main parts:
head
body
base
The first part, a robot’s head is a helmet-like piece, which actually holds the patient’s head and contains a guide for the surgical needle, as well as built-in cameras and sensors for mapping the patent brain.
The intent of the design of this piece, which includes the mint-colored interior, is to give the robot anthropomorphic characteristics, which would help with the distraction from the invasive nature of the procedure itself. Disposable bags can also be found, an they line the inside of the helmet for sterile operation.
The second element of Neuralink’s robot is a body, that humped rear assembly, which includes all the parts responsible for the movement of the robot as it sets up from the procedure.
The third element is the base, which pretty much prevents the whole thing from tipping over, and it apparently contains the computer brain of the robot brain itself.
Neuralink company explained in a press release the following: “While the patient may not be awake to see the machine in action, it was still important to design a non-intimidating robot that can aesthetically live alongside the iconic machines in Musk’s portfolio. It also needed to meet a long list of medical requirements in terms of sterility and maintenance, and provide safe and seamless utilization for its operators.”
Neuralink
Neuralink is a company founded by Elon Musk that wants to mitigate what Elon Musk sees as a potential existential threat to human life – the rise of general artificial intelligence.
Although its short-term goals are aimed at helping to address medical conditions caused by brain tissue damage, Musk also ultimately hopes that Neuralink will be able to help people keep up with advanced artificial intelligence, by providing them with a latency-free and direct high-bandwith concentration to their computers – using direct thought input.
Elon Musk Neuralink demo LIVE stream: How to watch today's first look at 'working device'
ELON MUSK will demo today Neuralink's brain-computer interface, teasing the first glimpse at a "working device". Express.co.uk explains how to watch the Neuralink demo live online.
By SEBASTIAN KETTLEY
PUBLISHED: 20:32, Fri, Aug 28, 2020
Neuralink is Elon Musk's ambitious foray into the neurotech industry, promising to develop chips that will connect the human brain to computers. The South African billionaire teased today's update in July, but little is known about the scope of Neuralink's progress. Mr Musk has boldly claimed his cyborg chips will allow people to stream music directly into their brains.
The SpaceX and Tesla CEO has also claimed the chip will cure depression and addiction.
Now, pundits expect Neuralink to perform a real-time demonstration of neurons firing off through the interface.
He tweeted on Wednesday morning: "Live webcast of working @Neuralink device Friday 3pm Pacific."
Whatever the demonstration will entail, it promises to be a major update on what has been revealed so far.
Mr Musk teased in February: "Wait until you see the next version vs what was presented last year. It's *awesome*."
READ MORE: SpaceX news: Astronomers warn Starlink can limit discoveriesHow to watch the Neuralink demo live online:
The Neuralink demo is scheduled to kick off on Friday, August 28, at 11pm BST (6pm EDT, 3pm PDT).
Neuralink will host a webcast just before the demo starts and you can access it here on Express.co.uk in the video player above.
Neuralink's website reads: "We're looking forward to seeing you on Friday.
"We'll post a link to the stream here shortly before it goes live."
Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO
What is Elon Musk's Neuralink?
Neuralink is a startup company founded in 2016 an unveiled to the world in 2017.
The company is working on interfaces that will connect the human brain to computers and artificial goal.
Neuralink's stated goal is to help treat neurological conditions and disorders, as well as enhancing the brain.
Another goal of the novel technology is to give people control over machines through willpower alone.
What is Elon Musk's Neuralink?
Neuralink is a startup company founded in 2016 an unveiled to the world in 2017.
The company is working on interfaces that will connect the human brain to computers and artificial goal.
Neuralink's stated goal is to help treat neurological conditions and disorders, as well as enhancing the brain.
Another goal of the novel technology is to give people control over machines through willpower alone.
Elon Musk Neuralink demo: The company will connect the brian to a computer interface (Image: NEURALINK)
Elon Musk Neuralink demo: Mr Musk teased today's big announcement (Image: ELON MUSK TWITTER)
Elon Musk Neuralink demo: The company has tested prototypes on lab rats and monkeys (Image: NEURALINK)
Towards these lofty goals, Neuralink will use a sewing machine-like device to implant extremely thin implants into the brain.
The threads will then connect to a small external device behind the ear.
In 2019, Neuralink claimed it had already completed a number of successful tests on rats and monkeys.
The company said it had tested a prototype with more than 3,000 electrodes implanted into the outer layer of the brain - the cortex.
Mr Musk has confirmed a new version of its "sewing" machine will be unveiled.
Elon Musk Neuralink demo: A machine will connect the brain to an interface behind the ear (Image: NEURALINK)
However, he noted the machine is still far from the capabilities of something as precise as LASIK - a form of laser surgery performed on the eyes.
He tweeted: "Yes, will show V2. Still far from LASIK, but could get pretty close in a few years."
Other applications of the technology could help people who have lost the function of their limbs.
In a white paper exploring Neuralink's mission, Mr Musk wrote: "Although significant technological challenges must be addressed before a high-bandwidth device is suitable for clinical application, with such a device, it is plausible to imagine that a patient with spinal cord injury could dexterously control a digital mouse and keyboard.
"When combined with rapidly improving spinal stimulation techniques [42], in the future, this approach could conceivably restore motor function.
"High-bandwidth neural interfaces should enable a variety of novel therapeutic possibilities
The threads will then connect to a small external device behind the ear.
In 2019, Neuralink claimed it had already completed a number of successful tests on rats and monkeys.
The company said it had tested a prototype with more than 3,000 electrodes implanted into the outer layer of the brain - the cortex.
Mr Musk has confirmed a new version of its "sewing" machine will be unveiled.
Elon Musk Neuralink demo: A machine will connect the brain to an interface behind the ear (Image: NEURALINK)However, he noted the machine is still far from the capabilities of something as precise as LASIK - a form of laser surgery performed on the eyes.
He tweeted: "Yes, will show V2. Still far from LASIK, but could get pretty close in a few years."
Other applications of the technology could help people who have lost the function of their limbs.
In a white paper exploring Neuralink's mission, Mr Musk wrote: "Although significant technological challenges must be addressed before a high-bandwidth device is suitable for clinical application, with such a device, it is plausible to imagine that a patient with spinal cord injury could dexterously control a digital mouse and keyboard.
"When combined with rapidly improving spinal stimulation techniques [42], in the future, this approach could conceivably restore motor function.
"High-bandwidth neural interfaces should enable a variety of novel therapeutic possibilities
No comments:
Post a Comment