Valve’s Gabe Newell is working on a brain chip — and it’s almost here

Gabe Newell, co-founder and CEO of Valve, has been working on a new brain-computer interface project through his Starfish Neuroscience company for several years. The company just announced that it plans to launch its first brain chip by the end of 2025, reports The Verge.

This chip isn’t a complete implant solution, but a specially designed “electrophysiological” component that can both read and stimulate brain activity. Unlike competitors, such as Elon Musk’s Neuralink, Starfish aims to create a less invasive solution that doesn’t require a battery and can reach multiple brain regions at once using wireless energy transfer.

Starfish is also developing technology to treat neurological disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, as well as a method to destroy tumors using targeted heat. The company is now seeking partners to further develop and integrate these technologies. It’s unclear whether Starfish’s technology will be used in the gaming industry.