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Valve CEO Gabe Newell’s brain-computer interface (BCI) startup, Starfish Neuroscience, is preparing to release its first neural chip by the end of 2025. The chip promises groundbreaking capabilities, positioning it as a strong competitor to Elon Musk’s Neuralink.
Understanding Brain Chip by Starfish Neuroscience
Unlike most existing brain implants, Starfish’s device will be cordless, battery-free, and minimally invasive, with the potential to interact with many parts of the brain simultaneously, which is a significant advancement in neurotechnology.
The chip is designed to operate efficiently without generating excess heat or necessitating bulky external hardware, consuming only 1.1 milliwatts of power. Its primary objective is therapeutic use, with a particular emphasis on the treatment of neurological disorders. These primarily include Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and movement disorders.
Nevertheless, Newell has consistently suggested that the technology has the potential to transform the way humans interact with computers, particularly in the gaming industry.
From Medical Treatment to Gaming Evolution
Gabe Newell’s fascination with BCIs began over a decade ago, when Valve started exploring the use of neurotechnology in gaming to enhance player experience. While the technology was far from market-ready back then, Newell believed it would one day allow players to “edit” their emotions. He is also of the opinion that BCIs can help humans experience virtual worlds in ways far beyond what current VR systems allow.
Starfish Neuroscience, which was established in 2019, is currently in the process of emerging from covert mode. Still, it is seeking to collaborate with companies that specialize in the development of custom interface hardware, low-latency communications, and wireless power. The company aspires to expand its technology for both clinical and consumer applications shortly through collaboration.
Anticipation and Long Term Effects
Experts anticipate that the long-term potential of Starfish’s chip could revolutionize how humans interact with machines. Although the initial distribution will concentrate only on the medical community. This next-generation chip may signal the beginning of genuinely integrated human-AI systems. It remains to be seen whether it is used to control a prosthetic limb, assist a paralyzed patient, or provide immersive sensory experiences in a game.
As the release approaches, the tech and medical worlds are watching closely. Starfish’s innovation could mark a major milestone: not just for treating diseases, but for unlocking entirely new frontiers of human capability.
