Neuralink, the company founded by Elon Musk, has launched its first clinical trial in Europe, focusing on the testing of brain implants in the United Kingdom.

The study will be conducted in collaboration with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals. It will involve seven British patients suffering from severe paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries or neurological diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Professor Garit Akram described the launch of these trials as a critical milestone in the advancement of brain-computer interface technology, with the potential to transform the lives of individuals with severe neurological disorders.

The experiment aims to implant the N1 chip beneath the skulls of patients, enabling them to control smartphones and tablets with their thoughts, without touching the screen. The device uses 128 ultra-thin threads, each thinner than a human hair, to connect about 1000 electrodes to the brain.

Neuralink has already conducted successful trials in the United States, where five patients received implants. One of them, named Alex, worked as a mechanic before his spinal cord injury, repairing various vehicles. Now he can even play computer games thanks to the neurochip.

Founded in 2016, Neuralink has attracted approximately $1.3 billion in investments, with a current valuation of nearly $9 billion. In addition to the UK, Neuralink plans to initiate trials in Canada and the UAE.