Neuralink to Automate Surgery, Boost Production in 2026

Elon Musk has announced that Neuralink plans to begin high-volume production of its brain-computer interface devices in 2026. The startup, which develops implants to help patients with neurological conditions, aims to transition to a streamlined, almost entirely automated surgical procedure this year. Musk stated that the device threads will pass through the dura without removal, a significant technical update. Neuralink's technology allows users to control computers via an implanted microchip, focusing initially on conditions like paralysis and sight impairment. Since January 2024, 12 patients have received implants, with the first user reporting regained independence. The company is actively hiring to support the increased manufacturing output.

Neuralink "will start high-volume production of brain-computer interface devices" this year, according to a Tuesday post on X by Elon Musk. The startup, which Musk co-founded in 2016, is preparing to significantly ramp up manufacturing capabilities. In November 2024, the company initiated a hiring spree, searching for manufacturing technicians and microfabrication specialists to facilitate this expansion.

Musk also revealed plans to revolutionize the implantation process. He stated that the medical procedure to implant the chips will "move to a streamlined, almost entirely automated surgical procedure in 2026." This shift aims to improve efficiency and safety. Currently, inserting the device requires a human surgeon to remove a portion of the skull before a robotic arm inserts the chip. The new automated method is expected to reduce human intervention.

The Neuralink chip is approximately the size of a coin. It connects to the brain via an array of thin threads, each roughly 20 times thinner than a human hair. Musk highlighted a critical technical change regarding these threads: they will go through the dura—the tough outer membrane protecting the brain and spinal cord—without the need to remove it. Musk described this development as "a big deal."

Neuralink develops brain-chip implants designed to assist individuals with paralysis or neurological disorders. The technology enables users to control computers using an implanted microchip. The startup's initial focus is on helping patients with severe conditions such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, paralysis, and sight impairment to communicate and regain independence.

However, the long-term vision extends beyond medical treatment. Elon Musk has previously stated that Neuralink's chips could eventually be used to meld human consciousness with artificial intelligence. Despite these futuristic goals, the immediate application remains focused on therapeutic outcomes for patients with limited mobility.

Progress has been steady since the company's first human trial. Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic man who became the company's first human patient in January 2024, reported that the implant helped him regain independence and control in his life, as well as make new social connections. By September 2025, Neuralink confirmed that 12 people around the world had received implants and were actively using them. Musk has previously suggested the company could have over a thousand patients by 2026.

The Neuralink system consists of the implant chip and the associated surgical robotics. The device is designed to interface directly with neural activity. The transition to an automated procedure in 2026 is intended to handle the delicate insertion of the electrode threads into brain tissue.

Key technical aspects of the device include:

• The chip is about the size of a coin.
• Threads are approximately 20 times thinner than a human hair.
• Insertion currently involves a human surgeon and a robotic arm.
• Future procedures aim to bypass the need to remove the dura.

These specifications highlight the complexity of the current surgical method and the challenges involved in automating the process. The ability to insert threads through the dura without removal represents a major advancement in surgical robotics and patient safety.

With plans for high-volume production and automated surgery, Neuralink is positioning itself to scale rapidly in 2026. The combination of increased manufacturing capacity and streamlined medical procedures suggests the company is moving from experimental trials to broader clinical application. The hiring of specialized manufacturing staff indicates a concrete step toward meeting these ambitious targets.

As the company prepares for these changes, the focus remains on delivering therapeutic benefits to patients with severe neurological conditions. The shift to automation could potentially lower the barriers to entry for the procedure, making the technology accessible to a larger number of patients in the future.