Exciting Developments: Gabe Newell’s Neuralink Rival Set to Launch First Brain Chip This Year!

Gabe Newell, the co-founder of Valve, has long imagined a future where our brains connect more directly with computers. The journey began over ten years ago when Valve’s psychologists looked into how people respond biologically to video games. They even considered earlobe monitors for their first virtual reality headset! At the Game Developers Conference in 2019, they shared their interest in brain-computer interfaces for gaming.

However, Newell chose to branch out from that idea. In the same year, he launched a new venture, Starfish Neuroscience. This startup is gearing up to release its first brain chip later this year.

Starfish recently shared on their blog that this chip is not a full implant yet. Instead, it’s a custom-designed chip that can record brain activity and stimulate the brain for therapeutic purposes. They haven’t built the systems to actually implant it but are working on it gradually.

Starfish plans to have these chips ready by late 2025 and is looking for partners to help make advancements in brain-computer tech. Their goal is to create a smaller, less invasive solution that can connect multiple brain regions simultaneously, rather than just focusing on one area. Their design uses only 1.1 milliwatts while functioning, which allows for wireless power instead of a battery.

For comparison, Neuralink’s chip, led by Elon Musk, has around 1,024 electrodes and uses about 6 milliwatts of power. Neuralink has started implanting their devices in humans, but they face challenges, like some threads detaching from brain tissue.

Starfish believes its approach could help treat various neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. There’s growing evidence that many brain issues stem from dysfunction between different brain areas. Addressing multiple regions could offer better treatment options.

Besides brain implants, Starfish is also developing a precision hyperthermia device designed to target and destroy tumors using heat. They’re even working on a robotically-guided system for transcranial magnetic stimulation to help conditions like bipolar disorder and depression.

As exciting as these developments are, it’s clear that the link between gaming and brain technology is still evolving. A glimpse into the future suggested by Valve at GDC keeps us thinking about how these innovations could transform entertainment and healthcare in ways we can only imagine.

For more insights on advancements in brain-computer technologies, check out Starfish’s research page.

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