Neuralink’s Week of Firsts: From Mind-Controlled Pizzas to a $9B Valuation
By MedRise News | August 13 2025 | McAllen, Texas
In just seven days, Elon Musk’s Neuralink shattered the boundaries between science fiction and medical reality.
U.K. first: Won national approval for GB-PRIME, a groundbreaking feasibility study at University College London Hospitals, enrolling patients with spinal cord injury or ALS.
Internet-breaking moment: Showcased patient Audrey Crews—paralyzed since 2005—drawing hearts and pizzas with her mind during a livestream that racked up 11 million views in 48 hours.
Investor frenzy: Closed a $650 million Series E, pushing total funding to ~$1.3 billion and valuing the company at $9 billion—with no commercial product yet.
How Neuralink’s Tech Stack Work
Layer - Key Spec - Why It Matters
N1 Implant - 1,024-channel chip - Captures richer motor & sensory data
Flexible threads - 4-6 um wide about 1/14 the width of a human hair - Minimizes brain scarring
R1 Robot - Inserts 64 threads in ~15 minutes with micron precision - Fast, safe, and scalable surgery
Each thread records neuronal spikes. Neuralink’s on-board algorithms decode the user’s intent and send commands via Bluetooth to phones, tablets—even robotic arms.
From “Look” to “Do”
Five U.S. trial participants now type, game, and browse the web with cursor control reaching 120 characters per minute.
A veteran turns smart-home lights on and off hands-free.
Another participant edits CAD models without touching a mouse.
In the GB-PRIME trial, researchers aim to push further—linking the implant to robotic limbs to restore full-body autonomy.
Market Shockwaves
Assistive-tech reset – Neuralink’s speed leapfrogs eye-tracking and sip-and-puff systems.
Robotics flywheel – Low-latency intention data supercharges prosthetic development.
Data goldmine – Continuous neural data could lead to treatments for stroke, ALS, and locked-in syndrome.
Speed Bumps Ahead
Safety & longevity: FDA still monitoring for wire migration and battery stability.
Ethics & access: Who owns neural data? Will BCIs widen or close disability gaps?
Scaling challenge: Each surgery needs an R1 robot and trained specialists; Neuralink wants 100+ implants by 2026.
The Bottom Line
With mind-bending demos, fresh capital, and simultaneous U.S.–U.K. trials, Neuralink has kicked off a global platform race in brain–computer tech. The only question left—for investors, ethicists, and future cyborgs alike—is:
When can I get one?
The message: Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) are no longer distant dreams. They’re here, rolling out in real clinics.
Disclosure: Author holds no position in Neuralink or its affiliates.
