Elon Musk's company Neuralink has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
to begin human trials of its brain-computer interface (BCI) technology.
The trial will involve four people with severe spinal cord injuries,
and will test the safety and effectiveness of Neuralink's implantable device.
The device is about the size of a quarter and is implanted in the brain using a minimally invasive procedure.
It contains a grid of electrodes that can record and stimulate brain activity.
The data from the electrodes is then transmitted to a computer,
which can be used to control devices or to restore lost function.
Neuralink has been working on its BCI technology for several years, and has already tested it in animals.
Neuralink has been working on its BCI technology for several years, and has already tested it in animals.