Neuralink to Mass-Produce Brain Chips in 2026; Surgery to Be Almost Fully Automated — Elon Musk’s Vision

Neuralink — the ambitious neurotechnology startup co-founded by Elon Musk — is gearing up for a major leap in 2026. The company revealed that it plans to begin large-scale production of brain-computer interface (BCI) chips and roll out nearly fully automated surgical procedures for implanting these devices. These developments aim to broaden access to BCI technology and simplify the process of integrating human thought with machines.

What Elon Musk Has Planned for Neuralink in 2026

Mass Production of Brain-Computing Interface Chips

Elon Musk announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Neuralink will start high-volume production of brain-computer interface devices in 2026. This marks a pivotal transition from limited prototypes to broader availability, making advanced BCI technology more accessible to a larger number of users, particularly individuals with severe paralysis who can benefit from thought-controlled devices.

Automated Surgical Procedures for Chip Implants

In the same announcement, Musk shared that Neuralink will advance its surgical technology so that the entire implant process is “almost entirely automated” by the end of 2026. This automation is intended to reduce procedural barriers, lower the complexity of brain implant surgeries, and enhance precision and safety.
Musk wrote, “Neuralink will start high-volume production of brain-computer interface devices and move to a streamlined, almost entirely automated surgical procedure in 2026.”

Neuralink’s Automated Surgery Strategy

Reducing Barriers to BCI Adoption

The plan for automated surgery is central to Neuralink’s mission to make BCIs widely adoptable. Automated systems can potentially speed up surgeries, improve placement precision, and eliminate variability between surgeons — all of which are critical in delicate neurosurgical contexts.

Innovation in Surgical Technique

Highlighting a technical breakthrough, Musk noted that the device’s threads will pass through the dura mater without removing it, which is significant. The dura is the tough outer membrane that protects the brain and spinal cord, and minimizing interaction with it could reduce risks and recovery times.

Neuralink’s Progress in 2025 and Clinical Trial Results

FDA Approval and Funding Growth

The year 2025 was a milestone for Neuralink. The company received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a device for speech restoration technology targeting severe speech impairments. This regulatory clearance validated Neuralink’s clinical relevance and safety progression.

Additionally, Neuralink raised $650 million in its Series E funding round, which boosted its valuation to $9 billion.

Human Trial Participants and Functional Achievements

In September 2025, Neuralink confirmed that 12 individuals with severe paralysis had received chip implants. However, Musk’s post on X suggests that around 20 participants have been involved so far.
These human trial participants have shown impressive capabilities:

• Playing video games using thought controls

• Browsing the internet with neural signals

• Posting on social media by thought alone

• Moving a cursor on a laptop through cognitive input

Global Clinical Trials and International Expansion

Neuralink’s research is no longer confined to the United States. The company has extended clinical trials globally, including its first surgeries outside the U.S.

Canada and the UK Trials

Notably:

• Procedures were completed in Canada

• A participant in the United Kingdom demonstrated the ability to control a computer with thoughts shortly after surgery

These international developments reflect Neuralink’s expanding footprint and potential to impact neurotech markets worldwide.

Technological Advancements — The Next-Gen Surgical Robot

Faster and More Accurate Electrode Insertion

Neuralink has introduced a next-generation surgical robot designed to support the automated implant process. This robot can insert electrode threads with remarkable speed — 1.5 seconds per thread — while achieving deeper and more precise placements.

Increased Compatibility and Cost Efficiency

This upgraded robot:

• Improves compatibility with various anatomical structures

• Reduces manufacturing costs for needle cartridges

• Supports Neuralink’s broader goal of scalable and lower-cost procedures

These advancements are crucial for making wide adoption feasible and economically viable.

Conclusion

Elon Musk’s announcement sets a bold direction for Neuralink in 2026. With mass production of BCI chips, automated surgical systems, and expanding clinical trials, the company is pushing the boundaries of how humans may one day interact with machines — using thought alone. As neural interface technology evolves, these innovations could transform healthcare for people with paralysis and open new frontiers in human-computer interaction.