Neuralink Sees Surge in Interest: 10,000 Join Waitlist for Brain Implant Trials
Neuralink, the brain-computer interface startup co-founded by Elon Musk, has reportedly attracted a waiting list of around 10,000 people eager to have its N1 implant surgically placed in their skulls. According to company president and co-founder Dongjin (DJ) Seo, Neuralink has so far implanted the device in 12 clinical trial participants and plans to increase that number to 25 by the end of the year.
Individuals interested in joining the trial can apply through Neuralink’s website. However, eligibility is limited to those with severe hand function impairments caused by conditions such as cervical spinal cord injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Seo shared insights about Neuralink’s progress in a recent discussion with Morgan Stanley for a private client report. He revealed that current users spend an average of 7.5 hours daily operating the N1 implant, while one user reportedly uses it for over 100 hours a week.
That “power user” is likely Noland Arbaugh, Neuralink’s first clinical trial participant, who previously shared that he relies on the device for daily tasks such as emailing, writing, banking, and managing personal projects. Another patient, known as Alex, uses the device to play video games.
Seo also highlighted the system’s speed, noting that Neuralink’s brain-to-computer latency is about ten times faster than natural brain-to-muscle responses—so fast that the system often reacts before the user expects it. He joked that Neuralink users could one day become Olympic-level esports competitors due to their enhanced reflexes.
The N1 operates through Neuralink’s Telepathy platform, which captures and interprets electrical brain signals through microelectrodes. These signals are wirelessly transmitted to a computer app that performs corresponding on-screen actions.
Unlike some competitors that use minimally invasive techniques, Neuralink employs a custom-built surgical robot that drills into the skull to implant the N1 device. Seo explained that the company chose to develop its own surgical system from the start to overcome the shortage of qualified neurosurgeons and to ensure seamless hardware-software integration—a key advantage he believes sets Neuralink apart in the brain-computer interface industry.
