How far are we from brain-computer interface technology? Elon Musk made a big move on New Year's Day—Neuralink will launch mass production plans for brain-computer interface devices in 2026, while also upgrading the surgical procedure to fully automated. This means that this once purely laboratory technology is truly moving toward the commercial stage.

Let's review Neuralink's development path. In early 2024, the company completed safety validation under the layered review of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and then officially launched human trials. So far, 12 severely paralyzed patients worldwide have undergone implantation surgery. Even more astonishing, these patients can now control digital devices directly with their minds—playing games, browsing the web, controlling the mouse—operations that are commonplace for most people but represent a significant improvement in their quality of life.

Mass production is not just talk; Elon Musk is already taking action. In November 2024, Neuralink is massively recruiting manufacturing technicians and microfabrication experts, with a clear goal: to prepare for mass production. Moreover, Musk's ambitions are substantial—he hopes that by 2026, the number of implanted patients can exceed 1,000.

The capital market is also optimistic about this direction. In a financing activity last June, Neuralink successfully raised $650 million, a sum that clearly supports hardware manufacturing and large-scale production. From small-scale human trials to an annual output of over a thousand sets, this acceleration is indeed exciting. The brain-computer interface track is gradually transforming from science fiction into practical application.