Elon Musk’s Neuralink showcased a live demonstration where a patient controlled a computer mouse and played chess using the brain implant.
Noland Arbaugh, 29, received the first implant after becoming a quadriplegic in a diving accident around eight years ago.
The mechanism, Known as Telepathy, involves the implant requiring skull removal to insert electrodes into the brain and is Neuralink’s first-ever product.
Easy Surgery
Arbaugh, who has quadriplegia from a diving accident, found the surgery surprisingly easy.
Despite some issues, he emphasized ongoing progress and life-changing benefits.
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) like Neuralink aim to translate brain signals into commands for external devices, potentially aiding conditions like ALS.
While Neuralink’s demonstration is somewhat novel, researchers have long explored BCI technology in the past.
Neuralink’s founder Elon Musk revealed last January that the company had successfully implanted a chip, and the patient was recovering well.
Dr. Marco Baptista, from the Reeve Foundation, hopes for more scientific reports to critically assess Neuralink’s impact.
