News
Elon Musk’s Neuralink is a last chance at a normal life for some
Kate Kegans doesn’t own a Tesla or any other products from Elon Musk’s many entities. Still, his Neuralink program could be her last chance at a normal life after experiencing vision impairments nearly nine years ago.
“I started having double vision, especially when I looked down,” Kegans said about her initial symptoms in 2011. “I went to my ophthalmologist. He goofed around with contact lenses for a year with no improvement, so my General Physician recommended a specialist.” An MRI revealed a cavernous malformation on her brain stem, which sent her to a Brain and Spine specialist in Phoenix, Arizona.
After having one resection of the malformation in 2011, the issues didn’t resurface for three years, until the doctor who performed the first surgery performed another one in 2015. However, the 2015 surgery didn’t go all the way to completion after “unfavorable conditions” aborted the effort once the surgery began.
Kate then underwent a third surgery to attempt the resection of the cavernous malformation in July 2018. While doctors called this surgery a success, Kegans has not lived a normal life since. After the surgery, she began experiencing symptoms that came to be recognized as signs of complete hemi-body dysesthesia, which included freezing and burning sensations on the right side of her body, and the inability to feel temperature changes on that side, making her prone to burns and scalds.
“Honestly, at this point, I wish I had not done the procedure, and dealt with the ‘ticking time bomb’ instead,” she said. As a result, Kegans has been forced to look at nearly every option due to relatively no improvement in her condition.
“I have tried extensive surgical procedures to ‘fix’ this,” she told Teslarati. Kegans then outlined the extensive list of treatments that have come to no resolve for her issues. Everything from Deep Brain Stimulation (the process of sending electrical impulses to specific targets in the brain), an Intrathecal Catheter with PRIALT (a pump placed in the body with a direct line that delivers medication into the spinal fluid), multiple cingulotomies (a surgery where tissue in the anterior cingulate region of the brain is altered, creating a lesion), Gamma Knife Radiation (surgery that destroys precisely selected areas of tissue by using radiation and not a blade), and a mesencephalotomy (an ablative procedure which lesions the pain pathways at the midbrain level to treat pain), all have had no effect on her condition.
In fact, one surgery disrupted her vision, an issue that was eventually fixed with another episode that took Kegans under the knife in November 2019. After it was fixed, the mesencephalotomy, which took place in July 2020, disrupted her vision once again. After having another surgery just eight weeks ago to improve her vision, she states that it still has not been fixed.
After trying a non-surgical route through various medications, including ketamine infusions, medicinal marijuana, gabapentin, and naltrexone, Kegans has one more option, as she says she is desperate. “I am willing to try anything to get back to normal.”
Enter: Neuralink
In August 2020, Elon Musk unveiled the “Link v0.9,” Neuralink’s latest and greatest implant device aimed to begin the surge toward curing various neurological diseases. A few sassy pigs with Neuralink chips implanted in their brains were among the first publicly unveiled test subjects. One, in particular, Gertrude, was a great example of how Neuralink could be used to battle various neurological diseases, including the loss of limb function.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink unveils sleek V0.9 device, uses sassy pigs for live brain machine demo
The Neuralink implant was able to predict all the limb movements based on the neural activity that was being read. With all of the improvements and developments in the Neuralink chip, many became believers in Musk’s most recent endeavor. One of them, a friend of Kegans, who sent her information about the pigs from the demonstration.
“My friend, who is a nurse, sent me an article on Neuralink. They said that human trials would eventually start,” Kegans said.
Neuralink has a handful of problems that it plans to solve on the neurological spectrum of injuries. Everything from memory loss, to blindness, to paralysis, to seizures will be a target for the chip. Another one is extreme pain, something that Kegans experiences on a daily basis, and it has affected her ability to live a normal life for years.
“I am 57 years old,” she said. “I used to be very active, and I need help returning to a normal life. I have zero quality of life now, and I am willing to try anything to get back to normal.”
FDA Designation, and what lies ahead for Neuralink’s possible patients
In July, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave Neuralink a “breakthrough device” designation, allowing the company to continue working with its Link v0.9. Eventually, the device could be sewn deeper into the brain, allowing for a wider variety of functions beyond the upper cortex. Some of the issues that could be solved would deal with addiction, depression, and motor function.
As of now, human trials are the next step for Neuralink to make some real noise in the medical sector. On February 1st, Musk gave an update regarding Neuralink’s development with the FDA, where he indicated the company was in constant communication with the federal agency to ensure implant safety.
Neuralink is working super hard to ensure implant safety & is in close communication with the FDA. If things go well, we might be able to do initial human trials later this year.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 1, 2021
After stating that human trials could begin as soon as this year, several people, Kegans included, reached out to talk about the possibility of being included in the first Neuralink trials. While no details are known yet, there are plenty of people out there who have been affected by severe brain injuries that have negatively altered their lives. Neuralink could be the key to eventually making neurological disorders a thing of the past, especially as the company plans to create a chip that will be affordable for virtually everyone.
Elon Musk
SpaceX issues statement on Starship V3 Booster 18 anomaly
The incident unfolded during gas-system pressure testing at the company’s Massey facility in Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX has issued an initial statement about Starship Booster 18’s anomaly early Friday. The incident unfolded during gas-system pressure testing at the company’s Massey facility in Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX’s initial comment
As per SpaceX in a post on its official account on social media platform X, Booster 18 was undergoing gas system pressure tests when the anomaly happened. Despite the nature of the incident, the company emphasized that no propellant was loaded, no engines were installed, and personnel were kept at a safe distance from the booster, resulting in zero injuries.
“Booster 18 suffered an anomaly during gas system pressure testing that we were conducting in advance of structural proof testing. No propellant was on the vehicle, and engines were not yet installed. The teams need time to investigate before we are confident of the cause. No one was injured as we maintain a safe distance for personnel during this type of testing. The site remains clear and we are working plans to safely reenter the site,” SpaceX wrote in its post on X.
Incident and aftermath
Livestream footage from LabPadre showed Booster 18’s lower half crumpling around the liquid oxygen tank area at approximately 4:04 a.m. CT. Subsequent images posted by on-site observers revealed extensive deformation across the booster’s lower structure. Needless to say, spaceflight observers have noted that Booster 18 would likely be a complete loss due to its anomaly.
Booster 18 had rolled out only a day earlier and was one of the first vehicles in the Starship V3 program. The V3 series incorporates structural reinforcements and reliability upgrades intended to prepare Starship for rapid-reuse testing and eventual tower-catch operations. Elon Musk has been optimistic about Starship V3, previously noting on X that the spacecraft might be able to complete initial missions to Mars.
Investor's Corner
Tesla analyst maintains $500 PT, says FSD drives better than humans now
The team also met with Tesla leaders for more than an hour to discuss autonomy, chip development, and upcoming deployment plans.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) received fresh support from Piper Sandler this week after analysts toured the Fremont Factory and tested the company’s latest Full Self-Driving software. The firm reaffirmed its $500 price target, stating that FSD V14 delivered a notably smooth robotaxi demonstration and may already perform at levels comparable to, if not better than, average human drivers.
The team also met with Tesla leaders for more than an hour to discuss autonomy, chip development, and upcoming deployment plans.
Analysts highlight autonomy progress
During more than 75 minutes of focused discussions, analysts reportedly focused on FSD v14’s updates. Piper Sandler’s team pointed to meaningful strides in perception, object handling, and overall ride smoothness during the robotaxi demo.
The visit also included discussions on updates to Tesla’s in-house chip initiatives, its Optimus program, and the growth of the company’s battery storage business. Analysts noted that Tesla continues refining cost structures and capital expenditure expectations, which are key elements in future margin recovery, as noted in a Yahoo Finance report.
Analyst Alexander Potter noted that “we think FSD is a truly impressive product that is (probably) already better at driving than the average American.” This conclusion was strengthened by what he described as a “flawless robotaxi ride to the hotel.”
Street targets diverge on TSLA
While Piper Sandler stands by its $500 target, it is not the highest estimate on the Street. Wedbush, for one, has a $600 per share price target for TSLA stock.
Other institutions have also weighed in on TSLA stock as of late. HSBC reiterated a Reduce rating with a $131 target, citing a gap between earnings fundamentals and the company’s market value. By contrast, TD Cowen maintained a Buy rating and a $509 target, pointing to strong autonomous driving demonstrations in Austin and the pace of software-driven improvements.
Stifel analysts also lifted their price target for Tesla to $508 per share over the company’s ongoing robotaxi and FSD programs.
Elon Musk
SpaceX Starship Version 3 booster crumples in early testing
Photos of the incident’s aftermath suggest that Booster 18 will likely be retired.
SpaceX’s new Starship first-stage booster, Booster 18, suffered major damage early Friday during its first round of testing in Starbase, Texas, just one day after rolling out of the factory.
Based on videos of the incident, the lower section of the rocket booster appeared to crumple during a pressurization test. Photos of the incident’s aftermath suggest that Booster 18 will likely be retired.
Booster test failure
SpaceX began structural and propellant-system verification tests on Booster 18 Thursday night at the Massey’s Test Site, only a few miles from Starbase’s production facilities, as noted in an Ars Technica report. At 4:04 a.m. CT on Friday, a livestream from LabPadre Space captured the booster’s lower half experiencing a sudden destructive event around its liquid oxygen tank section. Post-incident images, shared on X by @StarshipGazer, showed notable deformation in the booster’s lower structure.
Neither SpaceX nor Elon Musk had commented as of Friday morning, but the vehicle’s condition suggests it is likely a complete loss. This is quite unfortunate, as Booster 18 is already part of the Starship V3 program, which includes design fixes and upgrades intended to improve reliability. While SpaceX maintains a rather rapid Starship production line in Starbase, Booster 18 was generally expected to validate the improvements implemented in the V3 program.
Tight deadlines
SpaceX needs Starship boosters and upper stages to begin demonstrating rapid reuse, tower catches, and early operational Starlink missions over the next two years. More critically, NASA’s Artemis program depends on an on-orbit refueling test in the second half of 2026, a requirement for the vehicle’s expected crewed lunar landing around 2028.
While SpaceX is known for diagnosing failures quickly and returning to testing at unmatched speed, losing the newest-generation booster at the very start of its campaign highlights the immense challenge involved in scaling Starship into a reliable, high-cadence launch system. SpaceX, however, is known for getting things done quickly, so it would not be a surprise if the company manages to figure out what happened to Booster 18 in the near future.
SpaceX issues statement on Starship V3 Booster 18 anomaly
Tesla analyst maintains $500 PT, says FSD drives better than humans now
