In July 2019, enigmatic multi-billionaire and tech idol Elon Musk made a highly anticipated announcement about his brain-computer interface company NeuraLink. Despite the ensuing excitement, the device it has developed – made up of dozens of electrode threads designed to be laced into the brain through small holes in the skull – isn’t entirely new technology.

Neuralink's Blindsight implant aims to restore vision for individuals with complete blindness by bypassing damaged optic nerves and directly interfacing with the brain.

The brain-computer interface (BCI) market is expanding rapidly, with companies developing both invasive and non-invasive solutions for communicatio