Premium

Neuralink to begin mass production of brain implants in 2026, says Elon Musk

Neuralink is also working toward an almost fully automated surgical procedure by 2026, a shift that could significantly accelerate the rollout of brain implants designed to help people with paralysis regain control.

2 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jan 4, 2026 09:47 AM IST

Neuralink says it has implanted the chip in 12 patients. (Image Source: Reuters)

Brain–computer interface startup Neuralink has made huge strides over the past few years, and its ambitions are only growing bolder. CEO Elon Musk has now said the company plans to begin “high-volume production” of its brain-computer interface implants this year, marking a major step toward scaling the technology beyond early trials.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk said that Neuralink plans to move to a streamlined, almost entirely automated surgical procedure in 2026. He added that the company’s implants will be designed to pass through the dura without the need to remove it.

For those unfamiliar, the dura, short for dura mater, is the brain’s tough outer protective membrane, which helps shield it from infection and physical injury. Designed to help people with conditions like spinal cord injury, Neuralink’s implants allow impaired patients to play video games, browse the internet, post on social and even control the mouse.

Also Read | Smartphones and PCs may soon cost up to 20% more as AI fuels memory shortage

Neuralink will start high-volume production of brain-computer interface devices and move to a streamlined, almost entirely automated surgical procedure in 2026.

Device threads will go through the dura, without the need to remove it. This is a big deal. https://t.co/nfNmtFHKsp

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 31, 2025

In November last year, Neuralink announced that it had implanted its brain chip in 12 people with severe paralysis. Noland Arbaugh, the first patient to receive the implant, said in an interview that the chip allows him to play Mario Kart, control the TV, and operate household appliances without having to move any part of his body.

In a separate post on X, Neuralink CEO Elon Musk said that he was confident that Neuralink implants would help restore full body functionality. “Neuralink can essentially help bridge communications from the cortex, past the point in the neck or spine, where the nerves are damaged.” Announced back in 2022, the motor cortex technology, dubbed the N1 chip, features 1,024 electrodes that are connected to the brain using 64 threads.

Loading Taboola...