Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Neuralink, announced on Monday that the brain-chip startup has successfully implanted its first brain chip in a human, and the individual is recovering well.

Musk shared the news on X, expressing optimism about the initial results, which indicate promising neuron spike detection.

Last year, the US Food and Drug Administration granted clearance to Neuralink to conduct its first trial, allowing the company to test its brain-chip implant on humans.

Musk highlighted the progress by stating, “Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.”

Neuralink’s Prime study is designed to evaluate the safety of the wireless brain-computer interface implant and the surgical robot used in the process.

The primary focus is on assessing the functionality of the interface, which aims to empower individuals with quadriplegia, or paralysis of all four limbs, to control devices using their thoughts.

The National Institute of Health defines neuron spikes as activities by neurons, which are cells transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals in the brain and body.

While the announcement marks a significant step forward for Neuralink, the company did not immediately provide further details or respond to requests for additional information.

Earlier this month, Neuralink faced fines for violating US Department of Transportation rules related to the movement of hazardous materials.

DoT investigators discovered during inspections in February 2023 that Neuralink had failed to register itself as a transporter of hazardous material.

Improper packaging of hazardous waste, including the flammable liquid Xylene, was also found.

Despite regulatory challenges, Neuralink’s achievement of FDA clearance for its human trial was a crucial milestone.

Neuralink initiated the implant trial in September, announcing that a robot developed by the company would surgically place ultra-fine threads that assist in transmitting signals within participants’ brains during the study.