> A wire attached to a USB-C port in its head transmitted its thoughts to a nearby computer
Any speculation around why USB-C was used? Or why this was a detail Neuralink wanted to message on?
Any speculation around why USB-C was used? Or why this was a detail Neuralink wanted to message on?
I'm all for universal standards, but this really does seem like a case where the connection should be a clean sheet (maybe even proprietary) design where safety parameters can be tightly controlled. My guess is that they're using USB during the development phase for ease of development (they probably just haven't spent the time on making a different connector yet). I would be very surprised to see this actually go to market with a USB-C port. Given the notorious issues with USB-C cables, I would be surprised if the FDA even approved a device with a user-accessible USB-C port.
A mature product may well use a proprietary connector that isolates against brain-zapping, has better shielding, has no snap-off parts, etc.
Using off the shelf hardware saves time for the scientists to develop more meaningful parts of the system.
Using off the shelf hardware makes it seem a little less hacky than if they were running a bunch of jumper wires off a DB-25 connector from an old printer.
given USB C as a "standard" is a complete mess atm...