Neuralink massively expands production capacity – A look behind the scenes

Neuralink, Elon Musk's groundbreaking brain implant company, is currently significantly intensifying its efforts in recruitment. Recently, a variety of job openings have been posted on the company's website, including positions for manufacturing and microfabrication technicians. This recruitment drive is being accompanied by hiring events at the company's California and Texas branches. This move suggests that Neuralink is already entering large-scale production early, which is rather atypical for medical device companies. According to Tinglong Dai, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, this approach seems "bold" for a company that has only implanted two devices as part of studies thus far. However, Musk is known for his unconventional style, which was evident during Tesla's "production hell." Therefore, the rapid expansion at Neuralink is not surprising. Musk's vision is to establish the brain implant as a "Fitbit in the skull." In the short term, the technology is intended to assist with neurological disorders. In the long term, users might send messages or control video games simply by thinking about them. For positions in Texas, Neuralink offers an hourly wage of $22. The work here focuses on the production of brain implants and their accessories. In California, salaries are higher, ranging from $28.85 to $44.23 per hour, as technicians are sought for building the surgical robot R1, which automates the implantation process. This recruitment initiative is part of a larger expansion strategy. Neuralink plans to build a 112,000 square foot facility near Austin, Texas, with a $14.7 million investment. The construction of such a large facility indicates a significant increase in production capacity. Nonetheless, challenges remain. As reported by Reuters, the FDA granted Neuralink approval for clinical trials after an earlier application in 2023 was rejected due to safety deficiencies, such as overheating issues and loose wires. This week, Neuralink also received permission to start clinical trials in Canada and is seeking participants with quadriplegia resulting from ALS or spinal cord injuries.