Elon Musk said his brain implant company Neuralink will begin “high-volume production” of its brain-computer interface devices and transition to an entirely automated surgical procedure in 2026, according to a post he shared on social media platform X on Wednesday.
The implant is designed to help people with conditions such as spinal cord injuries by enabling direct interaction with computers.
The company’s first patient has demonstrated the ability to play video games, browse the internet, post on social media, and move a cursor on a laptop using the implant.
The company began human trials of its brain implant in 2024 after addressing safety concerns raised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which had initially rejected its application in 2022.
In September, Neuralink said 12 people worldwide with severe paralysis had received the implants and were using them to control digital and physical tools through thought alone.
Neuralink’s scale-up
The company also secured $650 million in a funding round in June.
Neuralink’s scale-up plans form part of a broader slate of projects Musk has outlined across his companies for 2026, spanning space exploration, artificial intelligence, transportation, and cognitive technology.
In space, SpaceX is preparing to launch its first Starship V3 spacecraft in 2026. The upgraded vehicle will feature the new Raptor V3 engine and is expected to conduct propellant transfer tests in orbit, a capability that could support future long-distance missions to the Moon or Mars.
SpaceX also plans to deploy Starlink V3 satellites, which are designed to offer upgraded performance and faster internet connectivity.
Neuralink is also planning a separate milestone in cognitive enhancement. Its Blindsight implant, aimed at restoring vision for people who are completely blind, is scheduled for its first patient trial in 2026.
The brain-computer interface uses ultra-fine threads to stimulate the visual cortex, creating perceptions of light and shapes.
In urban transportation, Musk’s Boring Company is set to open the first section of its Nashville Loop in spring 2026.
The underground electric vehicle-based transit system will connect downtown Nashville, the Convention Center, and Nashville International Airport, with a travel time of around eight minutes.
The project is positioned as a way to reduce surface traffic congestion while offering zero-emission transportation.
Tesla is also planning a significant production ramp-up in 2026. The company is expected to begin Cybercab production in April, alongside mass production of the Tesla Semi and Optimus Gen 3 humanoid robots.
Tesla also plans to launch Full Self-Driving in an unsupervised mode and expand its energy storage operations with Megapack 3 and Megablock systems to support large-scale grid storage.
In artificial intelligence, Musk’s startup xAI is expanding its Colossus supercomputer cluster in Memphis, Tennessee.
The company has acquired a third building as part of plans to ramp up training capacity to nearly two gigawatts.
Separately, Musk-owned social media platform X is considering increasing creator payouts, potentially surpassing YouTube, as part of a strategy to retain original content.
Together, the initiatives underscore Musk’s push to advance multiple technology fronts simultaneously as he positions 2026 as a pivotal year for his companies.