Samsung Wins First Neuralink Chip Order

According to The Korea Economic Daily, Samsung Electronics has reportedly secured a wafer fabrication partnership with Neuralink for the production of its fourth-generation implantable brain–computer interface (BCI) chip, marking a significant expansion of collaboration in advanced semiconductor manufacturing for neurotechnology applications.

The report states that both parties have finalized key production parameters, including process technology, development milestones, and mass production timelines for the program. The chip, internally code-named “O1,” will be manufactured using Samsung’s advanced 4nm semiconductor process, reflecting the increasing demand for high-efficiency, low-power chips designed for medical-grade implantable systems.

Development activities for the project reportedly began in late 2025, with pilot fabrication initiated in May 2026. Under the current roadmap, test samples are expected to be delivered in the first half of 2027, while full-scale production is targeted for completion by the end of 2027.

The fourth-generation Neuralink chip represents a functional upgrade over previous iterations, enabling bidirectional communication between the human brain and external digital systems. This includes decoding neural signals for device control as well as delivering feedback signals into neural tissue, supporting potential applications in neurological disorder treatment and medical rehabilitation research.

Historically, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has been responsible for manufacturing Neuralink’s earlier-generation chips. The addition of Samsung as a manufacturing partner reflects a broader supply chain diversification strategy aimed at reducing dependency on a single foundry and improving production resilience for cutting-edge neurotechnology hardware.

This collaboration also expands Samsung’s growing semiconductor footprint within Elon Musk’s ecosystem. In parallel to this development, Samsung has already been engaged in advanced chip manufacturing programs for Tesla, Inc., including automotive AI and autonomous driving processors produced on 4nm and 3nm process nodes.

Founded in 2016, Neuralink focuses on implantable brain–computer interface systems currently undergoing human clinical trials. The company’s fourth-generation device is expected to play a key role in advancing clinical research for neurological disease treatment by enabling higher-bandwidth neural data transmission with improved power efficiency and miniaturization.

Overall, the partnership highlights the increasing convergence of advanced semiconductor manufacturing and next-generation neurotechnology, where ultra-advanced process nodes and specialized fabrication capabilities are becoming critical enablers for implantable medical electronics.