Elon Musk's company Neuralink has announced the commencement of its first clinical research in Europe, focusing on testing brain implants in the UK.

This study will be conducted in collaboration with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals. The trial will involve seven British patients suffering from severe paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries or neurological conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Professor Garry Akram stated that the launch of this trial represents "a significant milestone in the development of brain-computer interface technology", which has the potential to transform the lives of individuals with serious neurological disorders.

The aim of the experiment is to implant the N1 chip under the patients' skulls and train them to control smartphones and tablets using their thoughts without touching the screen. The device uses 128 ultra-thin threads, each thinner than a human hair, to connect about 1000 electrodes to the brain.

Neuralink has already conducted successful trials in the USA, where five patients have received implants. One of them, named Alex, worked as a mechanic before his spinal cord injury, repairing various vehicles and heavy machinery. Now, he can even play video games due to the neurochip.

Founded in 2016, Neuralink has raised approximately $1.3 billion in investments, with its current valuation nearing $9 billion. Besides the UK, Neuralink also plans to initiate trials in Canada and the UAE.