Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that Neuralink, his brain-chip startup, has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an experimental implant designed to “enable even those who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to see.”

“The Blindsight device from Neuralink will allow individuals who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to see. If the visual cortex remains intact, it could even enable those blind from birth to experience sight for the first time,” Musk tweeted early Wednesday.

In his post on X (formerly Twitter), he included an image of Geordi La Forge, a character from Star Trek who, despite being blind from birth, uses technology to see.

“To set realistic expectations, initial vision will be low resolution, similar to Atari graphics, but it has the potential to surpass natural vision and allow you to see in infrared, ultraviolet, or even radar wavelengths, like Geordi La Forge,” Musk added.

Co-founded by Musk in 2016, Neuralink focuses on developing advanced brain-computer interfaces to revolutionize treatments for neurological disorders. The company’s technology includes a brain implant that reads neural signals and wirelessly transmits them to external devices, such as computers and smartphones.

Business World reported that Neuralink is also working on an implant enabling paralyzed individuals to control digital devices using only their thoughts. Additionally, the company is conducting a clinical trial with three participants to assess the device’s effectiveness for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

In August 2024, it was reported that Neuralink successfully implanted its brain-computer interface in a second patient, who can now control video games and create 3D designs using just their thoughts.