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Neuralink device gets FDA recognition for speech restoration

Neuralink device gets FDA’s ‘breakthrough’ designation. With Link, a man with ALS now types, navigates, and speaks.

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(Credit: Neuralink/YouTube)

Neuralink’s brain-computer interface (BCI) device, Link, has secured the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “breakthrough” designation for restoring communication in patients with severe speech impairment. This milestone advances Elon Musk’s vision of merging human cognition with technology.

The Link device targets individuals with neurological conditions like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. In a recent X video, Neuralink’s third PRIME Study participant, Bradford G. Smith, who lives with ALS, showcased the device’s potential.

Using Link, Smith regained his ability to communicate, leveraging AI to narrate with a synthesized version of his former voice. “I am typing this with my brain,” Smith wrote. “It is my primary communication.”

Smith edited the X video with the help of Link. In the video, he demonstrated how Link enabled him to control a computer cursor to communicate, highlighting the BCI’s ability to interface with external devices.

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Before Link, Smith relied on an eye tracker, which limited communication in bright settings and restricted his mobility. Now, Neuralink’s implant enables him to connect more freely. His experience shows Neuralink’s progress in empowering paralyzed individuals and those with neurodegenerative diseases through revolutionary assistive solutions.

The company is also exploring applications for vision restoration and other health challenges. In 2024, Neuralink received the FDA’s ‘breakthrough device’ tag for its Blindsight device. Elon Musk explained that Blindsight would help people who have lost both eyes and function in their optic nerve to see. However, Neuralink’s current focus remains on mobility and communication.

Neuralink recently expanded its patient registry to include participants worldwide. The PRIME Study, likely the primary target for new registrants, tests Link’s base capabilities. Meanwhile, the CONVOY study explores Link’s ability to control robotic devices, like an assistive robotic arm. This broader access underscores Neuralink’s commitment to scaling its trials.

The company is reportedly preparing for a $500 million funding round, with preliminary talks valuing Neuralink at $8.5 billion pre-money and potentially $9 billion post-money, though terms remain fluid. Neuralink has not commented on the speculation about funding.

By earning FDA breakthrough status, Neuralink positions Link as a transformative tool for those with severe speech impairments. Smith’s experience illustrates its potential to restore independence, while ongoing trials and funding efforts signal the company’s ambition to redefine human-technology interaction for neurological conditions and beyond.

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Maria--aka "M"-- is an experienced writer and book editor. She's written about several topics including health, tech, and politics. As a book editor, she's worked with authors who write Sci-Fi, Romance, and Dark Fantasy. M loves hearing from TESLARATI readers. If you have any tips or article ideas, contact her at maria@teslarati.com or via X, @Writer_01001101.

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Tesla exec shares unique Supercharger team rule that accelerates EV adoption

It is a rule that allows Tesla to become an industry leader in EV charging services.

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Credit: Tesla Charging/X

Tesla Director of Charging for North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific Max de Zegher recently shared some insights on a rather interesting rule that is being followed by the Supercharger team. It is a rule that, in a lot of ways, allows Tesla to further accelerate EV adoption.

No Exclusivity

In a recent post on its official social media account on X, the Tesla Charging team noted that it does not have exclusivity clauses for EV charging with property owners. As per the team, they discourage property owners to opt for exclusivity clauses since EV charging should not be restricted. “Hosting more charging infrastructure improves range confidence, keeps charging prices low, and accelerates EV adoption,” the Tesla Charging team wrote in its post.

While the Supercharger Network could have been a strong moat for Tesla in the electric vehicle sector, the charging network has been opened to other automakers’ EVs over the past years. In North America, Tesla’s home-grown NACS has become a standard, being adopted by veterans like Ford and General Motors and newer companies like Lucid Motors and Rivian.

Charging Director’s Comments

In a follow-up comment, de Zegher stated that the Tesla Charging team makes it a point to explain to landlords why EV charging should not have exclusivity clauses. As per the executive, there is no shortage of areas that could host EV charging spaces, so it only makes sense to support their expansion.

“When landlords offer us exclusivity, we actively reject it and explain our reasoning. We encourage them to install as much charging infrastructure as possible. We stand by our goal of ensuring as much dependable and affordable charging infrastructure as possible, whether from Tesla or other providers. There is no shortage of parking spaces, especially with increasing autonomy on the horizon. Legal moats only slow down EV infrastructure growth,” de Zegher wrote in a post on X.

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Tesla Supercharger Stats

As per Tesla in its Q1 2025 Update Letter, the company operates 7,131 Supercharger stations with 67,316 Supercharger stalls worldwide as of the end of the first quarter. This effectively makes the Supercharger Network into one of the most reliable and cost-effective charging solutions in the market.

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Tesla Model 3 driver is using FSD to travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp

The ambitious, nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,485-mile) Tesla FSD journey is being livestreamed on Chinese social media.

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Credit: Douyin 老高懂电车

Count on Tesla drivers in China to push Full Self Driving (FSD) as far as it could go. As could be seen in videos posted on Chinese social media, a brave Model 3 owner is currently going on an epic journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest on FSD.

Recent posts from the Model 3 driver suggest that the ambitious destination may be within reach.

Epic FSD Journey

As noted by Tesla owner-enthusiast Aaron Li, the journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest spans almost 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The journey itself is epic, with stunning vistas and roads that require some drivers to bring oxygen canisters with them. The fact that it is being done using FSD makes it extra impressive. 

Based on the videos that have been recently shared, the Model 3 running FSD seems to be nearing the Everest Base Camp. There seems to be a good chance that the Tesla Model 3 may reach its destination this Friday.

Previous Everest Trips

This is not the first time that a Tesla has driven to Mt. Everest’s base camp.  That would be a Model 3 that was driven in September 2020. That vehicle, which went on a long 5,500 km (3,400-mile) journey, was manually driven to its destination. 

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In April 2021, Tesla China announced that it has completed the buildout of 11 Supercharger stations in the picturesque route from Chengdu to Tingri. This route would allow drivers to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest. Sure enough, in July 2022, Tesla China shared a video of two Teslas—a Model X and Model Y—reaching the Everest base camp without any issues. Numerous other Tesla drivers have since taken on the long, picturesque journey.

Check out this Tesla Model Y’s journey to the Mt. Everest base camp in the video below.

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T-Mobile’s Starlink cellular doubles as free 5G trial for rival users

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(Credit: T-Mobile)

T-Mobile’s Starlink cellular is set to deliver satellite connectivity to users on rival carriers. The Starlink cellular beta program could double as a free trial for T-Mobile’s 5G network, blending space-based innovation with a strategic push to attract new customers. T-Mobile’s Starlink cellular service will launch soon, aiming to showcase both Starlink’s capabilities and T-Mobile’s terrestrial network.

“The wait is almost over,” T-Mobile announced in a Wednesday email to those who signed up for free beta access to the cellular Starlink service. “Our phone partners have been hustling to get more phones satellite-optimized, and in just a couple weeks, you’ll be invited to the beta.”

The Starlink cellular program includes “50GB of high-speed data and unlimited texts,” offering a robust test of T-Mobile’s 5G network alongside Starlink’s satellite connectivity. This package mirrors T-Mobile’s existing three-month free trial, which provides 50GB of premium mobile data via eSIM, allowing users to try T-Mobile without switching from their current provider.

Starlink cellular’s availability to rival carrier users via eSIM is a key draw, enabling seamless access to T-Mobile’s network and Starlink’s satellite service. T-Mobile sweetens the deal with perks like “$5 movie tickets, 25% off concert tickets, travel discounts, and T-Mobile Tuesdays for free stuff and great perks every week.” These incentives underscore T-Mobile’s strategy to convert beta testers into full-time customers.

Last week, T-Mobile reduced Starlink cellular’s price to $10 per month for both its customers and those on rival carriers, enhancing affordability. The company’s exclusive U.S. partnership with SpaceX gives it a head start in satellite connectivity. Meanwhile, competitors AT&T and Verizon, collaborating with AST SpaceMobile, may lag by a year or two due to fewer satellites.

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By offering rival carrier users a free trial of its 5G network through the Starlink cellular beta program, T-Mobile positions itself as a leader in terrestrial and satellite connectivity. The initiative highlights the potential of SpaceX’s Starlink and leverages T-Mobile’s network strengths to capture a broader market, setting the stage for a new era of hybrid connectivity.

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