Elon Musk is looking to invest in a rival to his brain computing startup Neuralink.
According to Reuters, citing four sources familiar with the matter, the billionaire has reportedly approached the CEO of Synchron, which is developing brain implants that may will invest.
It is unclear whether Synchron CEO Thomas Oxley will accept the offer, the report said.
Neuralink is trying to catch up to Synchron, which started the first human trials of its technology in the US in July. The trial involved implanting its device in the first of six patients. The first patient had ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The device’s goal is to turn a patient’s thoughts into actions through commands sent to a computer — including browsing online and communicating via email.
This is the second human trial of Synchron. The first was conducted in Australia, and four patients had no negative side effects and were able to communicate and shop online, according to Bloomberg.
Neuralink, which was founded in 2016, has yet to begin human trials. It is unclear what stage (if any) the company is at in applying to the FDA for approval to begin human trials, the report said. talk).
Both startups want to create a technology that, in colloquial terms, translates thoughts into actions or the actions of people whose ability to speak is affected.
Synchron and Neuralink did not immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment.
Former and current employees told Reuters that Musk was frustrated with Neuralink’s slow progress on its technology and reached out to Oxley after he expressed his frustration. As previously reported by Fortune, tensions within Neuralink are not new.
Neuralink’s former president, Max Hodak, left the company after serving as the company’s head since its inception, and is now an investor in Synchron.
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