Help 12 paralyzed individuals play games using their thoughts! Musk: Neuralink brain-machine interface will be mass-produced by 2026

Elon Musk announces Neuralink will mass produce brain-machine interface devices in 2026 and promote fully automated surgeries. So far, it has assisted 12 paralyzed individuals in controlling devices through thought, with future plans to extend to restoring sight for the blind.

Elon Musk previews Neuralink mass production in 2026

Is brain-machine interface about to go mainstream? Elon Musk announced on New Year’s Day that his brain chip company Neuralink will start mass production of brain-machine interface devices in 2026, transforming surgical procedures into fully automated processes, marking a critical step for Neuralink from experimental phase to commercial mass production.

According to Reuters, Neuralink officially began human trials after addressing safety concerns raised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2024.

As of September 2025, a total of 12 severely paralyzed patients worldwide have received implants, enabling them to control digital devices through thought, engaging in activities such as playing video games, browsing the internet, and operating cursors.

Image source: X Musk previews Neuralink mass production in 2026

To achieve mass production goals, Neuralink has launched large-scale recruitment in November 2024, seeking manufacturing technicians and microfabrication experts. Musk has hinted that by 2026, the number of patients with implants could exceed one thousand.

The company has also gained market support for funding, successfully raising $650 million in a fundraising round in June 2024.

How Neuralink’s brain-machine technology helps paralyzed individuals

Neuralink’s implantable device is about the size of a coin, containing extremely fine wire arrays inside. These wires are about 20 times thinner than human hair and can penetrate the dura mater that protects the brain and spinal cord to capture neural signals.

Currently, brain-machine implantation still requires surgeons to remove part of the skull, followed by robotic arm implantation of the chip. However, Musk states that future medical procedures will be streamlined into nearly fully automated surgeries, significantly reducing surgical barriers and risks.

Neuralink’s brain-machine technology not only aims to help ALS patients, spinal cord injury patients, or Parkinson’s disease patients regain communication and independence, but Musk has also mentioned a long-term vision of merging human consciousness with AI.

Further reading:
First brain-machine implant! Musk’s company helps paralyzed veterans, who are discharged healthy the day after surgery

Neuralink’s Blindsight helps the blind see the world again

In addition to the standard brain-machine interface for helping paralyzed individuals, Neuralink is actively developing a new implant called Blindsight.

Blindsight has received FDA Breakthrough Device designation and is scheduled to begin trials with the first blind patient in 2026. Its principle is to directly stimulate the visual cortex of the brain through ultra-fine wires, bypassing damaged eye structures to generate perceptions of light and shapes.

Blindsight has already been tested on monkeys, successfully eliciting responses to objects outside their visual field. If successfully applied to humans, this technology would be a major breakthrough in visual impairment treatment.

Further reading:
Helping the blind see the world again! Elon Musk Neuralink brain-machine interface shows latest progress

Vision for 2026: From space exploration to daily life

Looking ahead to 2026, international media outlet India Today analyzed that, besides Neuralink’s advancements in medical fields, Musk’s business empire will also undergo significant transformations across various sectors.

In space exploration, SpaceX plans to launch the Starship V3 designed for deep space missions and conduct in-orbit fuel transfer tests, paving the way for lunar and Mars missions.

In ground transportation and infrastructure, The Boring Company is expected to activate its underground tunnel system in Nashville, USA, in spring 2026, using high-speed underground transit to solve urban congestion.

Image source: The Boring Company The Boring Company plans to activate the Nashville underground tunnel system in spring 2026

Meanwhile, Tesla also plans to start production of Cybercab in April 2026 and expand the output of the Optimus Gen 3 humanoid robot, integrating fully autonomous driving technology to revolutionize labor and urban mobility.

Additionally, Musk’s AI company xAI will activate the Colossus 2 massive data center to drive the development of general AI with powerful computing capabilities.

From the dream of going to Mars to restoring sensory functions for patients, 2026 could be the year Musk turns visions into reality, transforming key scientific breakthroughs into everyday miracles.