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Join Us, In Saving Lives And Engineering The Future
We are a diverse team of talented people who are dedicated to building technology that radically improves human lives.
Almost thirty years ago, a young Florian Solzbacher shared his dream with Marcus Gerhardt of harnessing the brain to restore hope to people with disabilities. The two friends went on to start Blackrock Neurotech in 2008.
Our History
The invention of the Utah Array
The Utah Array is invented by Richard A. Normann (University of Utah.)
Monkeys control computer cursor
Three monkeys implanted with Utah Arrays successfully control a computer cursor to click on-screen targets with high speed and accuracy in a study at Brown University.
Utah Array is implanted in humans
As part of BrainGate’s clinical trials, Matt Nagle is implanted with the Utah Array. One year later, he controls an artificial hand with his BCI.
Blackrock Microsystems is founded
Blackrock Microsystems acquires Cyberkinetics, which includes the Utah Array and other interfaces developed at the University of Utah
Research participants use neuroprosthetics to eat
In another BrainGate trial, Cathy Hutchinson, who was paralyzed from the neck down due to a stroke, feeds herself for the first time in 15 years using a NeuroPort BCI. That same year, Jan Scheuermann (Pittsburgh) feeds herself chocolate. In 2015, Erik Sorto (Calech) drinks a beer with his prosthetic.
Research participant regains arm movement
In a collaborative study between Battelle and The Ohio State University, Ian Burkhart becomes the first person to regain control of his hand and wrist using a NeuroPort brain-computer interface to direct non-invasive functional electrical stimulation.
First BCI research participant senses touch
At University of Pittsburgh, Nathan Copeland feels a sense of touch through a neuroprosthetic arm using two NeuroPort Arrays implanted in his sensory cortex.
First bilateral Utah Array implant
Johns Hopkins University implants electrodes on both sides of the brain, enabling Buz Chmielewski to simultaneously control two prosthetic limbs and, at the same time, feel touch sensation when these limbs contact objects in the environment.
A high-bandwidth wireless iBCI is tested for at-home use
Using Blackrock’s hardware and transmitter, BrainGate researchers demonstrated the first human use of a wireless transmitter capable of delivering high-bandwidth neural signals.
Whole words decoded from thought
Researchers at University of California San Francisco use a Blackrock-built electrode and recording system to successfully decode whole words from a set of 50 with 93% accuracy.
Cortical Neuroprosthetic produces artificial vision
Simple shapes were projected into subjects’ visual fields using stimulation from a Utah Array in an early demonstration of a visual prosthetic at the University of Utah & Universidad Miguel Hernández.
First portable at-home system trial
University of Pittsburgh launches trial with Blackrock’s first portable at-home system
Blackrock Neurotech is a team of the world’s leading engineers, neuroscientists, and visionaries. Together, we’ve developed the most powerful neurotechnology platform that improves patients’ lives today.
Dennis DeGrey sustained a spinal cord injury in 2007. Blackrock’s technology allowed him to type text and email messages.
Aaron Ulland suffered a stroke that paralyzed the left side of his body. Blackrock’s technology enabled him to move his own arm again with a brain-controlled exosuit.
In 2016, Nathan Copeland made headlines when he used his BCI to control a robotic arm and fist bump President Obama. With the implants in his sensory cortex, he was even able to “feel” Obama’s hand.
