There already are patients that have implants for years, such as Nathan Copeland with Blackrock Microsystems implants. Here’s a video to explain more about the process.

Progress is in my opinion disappointingly slow, considering development started decades ago. We still need daily calibration for such a task. Current implants already can last years, but it’s still not easy to “switch them out”. In fact, the current procedure is that you get one set of implants and if they need to be removed (after about 5 years) you can not renew them. Most BCI work is done in monkeys and other mammals for a good reason. It’s great that we have some human trials although I personally feel that most of them come too early and are more about the publicity than actually benefitting research at this point in time. The most reassuring thing out of human trials for me was hearing how they perceive having an implant. There’s no constant pain or whatever involved, which is reassuring for other mammals.

And without wanting to bring Elon too much into the discussion: Implants without an open wound are definitely the future, although other companies also have their own take on that available for years.