Brain-Computer Interfaces

A paralyzed person controlled a cursor via a 96-channel Utah array — the field's proof of concept.

Noland Arbaugh received the 1,024-electrode N1; weeks later he moved a cursor and played chess by thought.

The Layer 7 cortical interface (1,024 electrodes) got 510(k) clearance — a regulatory first for the new wave.

Synchron users gained native thought-control of iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro via Apple's BCI HID profile.

Paradromics recorded from its Connexus BCI in a human during a 20-minute procedure, widening the race.

A $650M Series E valued Neuralink at a reported $9B, with five patients implanted.

Science closed an oversubscribed $230M Series C (total ~$490M) to commercialize PRIMA — a retinal BCI that restored form vision in dry-AMD patients (NEJM-published). A European launch later this year would make it the first BCI vision product on the market.

Surgeons at CU Anschutz/UCHealth implanted a BCI into a paralyzed patient's higher-functioning cortex — not the usual motor cortex — a world first, aiming for more natural and complete sensory-and-motor control. Part of a Caltech/USC consortium using a Blackrock Neurotech array.

China's NMPA cleared Neuracle's coin-sized NEO implant (developed with Tsinghua) for commercial sale to restore hand function after spinal-cord injury — the first invasive-class BCI approved for market anywhere, ahead of Neuralink.

A brain implant cleared for routine commercial use, not just investigational trials — not yet here.