Citing industry sources on June 15, Korea Economic Daily reported that Samsung Electronics’ foundry business has, for the first time, secured an order for Neuralink’s fourth-generation brain-implant chip from Neuralink, the brain-computer interface company founded by Elon Musk. Samsung has been developing the project since the end of 2025, using a 4-nanometer process, with an internal project codename of “O1.” Mass production is planned to begin as early as the end of 2027.
Samsung O1 Project: 4-nanometer process, development starts at end of 2025, mass production trial in May 2026
According to confirmation information cited by Korea Economic Daily from industry sources:
Internal project codename: O1
Process node: 4 nanometers
Development kickoff time: end of 2025
Trial production kickoff time: May 2026
Shipment of the first batch of testing chips: first half of 2027 (planned)
Mass production: as early as end of 2027 (planned)
Confirmed Technical Upgrades for the Fourth-Generation Chip: Two-Way Communication Capability
According to Korea Economic Daily, the core upgrades of the fourth-generation chip compared with previous generations are as follows:
Previous generations (first to third generations): only capable of converting brain signals into external-device operation instructions (brain → external device).
Fourth generation: features two-way communication capability, enabling it to reverse by inputting data from external devices into the brain (external device → brain), further activating the body’s functions. The report states that by stimulating specific brain nerves, the chip may help partially restore visual perception for patients with impaired vision (this is the application direction mentioned in Korea Economic Daily’s report, not confirmed clinical results).
Competitive Background of TSMC and Samsung
All of Neuralink’s first three generations of brain-implant chips were produced in mass production by TSMC. This time, Neuralink’s choice of Samsung for foundry manufacturing marks Samsung’s first collaboration with Musk’s ecosystem in the advanced biomedical chip domain, after its partnership on autonomous-driving chips. Specific details such as order size, amount, and exclusivity are not further disclosed in the industry information from Korea Economic Daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it the first time Samsung has manufactured Neuralink chips via outsourcing?
According to Korea Economic Daily’s report, yes. The first three generations of Neuralink brain-implant chips are all handled by TSMC for mass production, and the fourth generation (the O1 project) is the first time Samsung’s foundry business has received a Neuralink order.
What exactly does the fourth-generation Neuralink chip’s two-way communication capability mean?
Based on Korea Economic Daily’s confirmation report, the fourth-generation chip adds a reverse-input function on top of reading brain signals, enabling data from external devices to be written into the brain. The report mentions potential applications including helping patients with impaired vision restore partial visual perception, but this is a technology direction mentioned in the report rather than completed clinical trial results.
Has the mass production schedule for the fourth-generation chip been confirmed?
According to industry information cited by Korea Economic Daily, Samsung plans to ship its first batch of testing chips in the first half of 2027, with mass production expected to begin as early as the end of 2027. As of the time of the report, neither Neuralink nor Samsung has issued an official statement regarding this.
