Blackrock Neurotech vs Neuralink

Blackrock Neurotech and Neuralink are both US-based startups developing brain-computer interfaces. Their primary goal is to help people with neurological disorders and paralysis. Both technologies involve implanting electrodes in to brain to read signals (i.e., surgical intervention is required). Patients with installed implant can control computer and other external devices. Both companies are already conducting human clinical trials.

But Blackrock Neurotech (2008) uses the Utah Array electrode array, which has fewer electrodes (up to 128) but is a proven technology - it has been used in clinical practice since 2004 and has proven its safety for people. The NeuroPort BCI implant allows patients to type at speeds of up to 90 characters per minute.

Neuralink (2016) is Elon Musk's company, which creates not only the BCI implant but also a high-precision surgical robot for its installation. Their coin-sized implant, The Link, has a high number of electrodes: 1024, distributed across 64 threads. The thread-like electrodes are thinner than a human hair. The implant is wireless, so it can be implanted completely under the skull, making it comfortable for the patient. In the long term, the company sees its technology being used to enhance human cognitive functions.