Musk's ambitious brain-computer plans exposed: Neuralink aims for $1 billion in revenue by 2031, with annual chip implantation reaching 20,000.

According to internal documents, Elon Musk's brain-machine interface company Neuralink is planning to expand its business on a large scale - not only dedicated to treating diseases, but also attempting to explore the human brain in unprecedented ways. The company expects to implant chips for 20,000 people annually by 2031, with annual revenue reaching at least $1 billion. According to recent materials presented to investors, the company plans to operate about five large clinics in the next six years and launch at least three versions of implant devices. The "Telepathy" version is used for brain-to-machine communication; the "Blindsight" version aims to help blind people regain their vision; while the "Deep" version is used for treating tremors and Parkinson's disease. These financial forecasts and the company's research in the field of tremors and Parkinson's disease treatment have not been previously disclosed. Musk and representatives from Neuralink did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The company's announced goals demonstrate Musk's grand vision for Neuralink and its aggressive timetable. Currently, public information shows that fewer than 10 people have participated in clinical trials, and no patients have yet regained their vision or been treated for Parkinson's disease using this technology. The documents show that by 2029, the company expects its "Telepathy" device to receive regulatory approval in the United States, with plans to perform 2,000 surgeries annually, generating at least $100 million in annual revenue. By 2030, the "Blindsight" vision restoration chip will be put into use, with the number of surgeries increasing to 10,000 annually, and revenue surpassing $500 million. These predictions are based on a "conservative fee of $50,000 per surgery". According to PitchBook data, Neuralink has raised $1.3 billion and is currently valued at $9 billion. In recent years, brain-machine interface companies like Neuralink have attracted widespread attention and investment due to their potential medical applications. However, as companies are still collecting safety and efficacy data, US regulatory agencies have not approved any permanent human implant devices. While Musk has led Neuralink to achieve multiple breakthroughs, the timeline for the implementation of its technology is often overly optimistic. For example, in 2015, he predicted that Tesla, Inc. (TSLA.US) cars would achieve fully autonomous driving within three years, but the timeline has been delayed multiple times until last month when Robotaxi testing was finally initiated. In clinical trials, paralyzed patients have been able to control computers for internet browsing, gaming, and video editing through Neuralink devices. The company is also testing visual implant devices on monkeys. Currently, several brain-machine interface companies are developing devices that can stimulate or read brain data, but the US Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved any commercially available permanent implantable brain-machine interfaces.