Having received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year, Neuralink initiated its first human trial to test the implant. Musk also disclosed in a separate X post that the first product from Neuralink will be named Telepathy.

According to reports, Neuralink’s ongoing PRIME Study focuses on evaluating the safety of the wireless brain-computer interface and surgical robot. The trial aims to assess the functionality of the interface, allowing individuals with quadriplegia to control devices through their thoughts.

Despite calls for scrutiny regarding safety protocols, Neuralink has been actively recruiting participants since September for its study trial. The startup has not responded to a Reuters request for additional details.

Notably, Neuralink has faced challenges, including a fine for violating U.S. Department of Transportation rules. Last November, four U.S. lawmakers urged the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate Musk for alleged securities fraud related to the safety of Neuralink’s brain implant.

Neuralink’s technology primarily relies on the "Link" implant, a device the size of five stacked coins placed inside the human brain through invasive surgery. According to Pitchbook, the California-based company had over 400 employees last year and secured at least $363 million in funding.

While Musk garners attention for Neuralink, he is not alone in the brain-machine interface research field. Neuralink’s potential collaboration with Synchron, an implant developer, has been reported, with Synchron’s version not requiring skull incisions for installation. Synchron successfully implanted its first device in a U.S. patient in July 2022.