Neuralink, the brain-computer interface startup founded by Elon Musk, has achieved a significant milestone as its first human patient implanted with a brain chip has fully recovered and can now control a computer mouse using their thoughts. This achievement marks a major step forward in the company’s goal to develop technology that can help people with traumatic injuries operate phones and PCs using only their thoughts.
Elon Musk announced the successful outcome of the implantation, stating that the patient has made a full recovery and is able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking. This breakthrough comes after Neuralink received approval for human trial recruitment in September and successfully implanted the chip in its first human patient in January.
The study involves using a robot to surgically place a brain-computer interface implant in a region of the brain that controls the intention to move. The initial goal of the study is to enable people to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts. Musk has expressed grand ambitions for Neuralink, suggesting that the technology could eventually treat conditions like obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia.
Neuralink’s ultimate vision is to help paralyzed individuals regain control over their lives by enabling them to control devices and interact with the world around them using only their thoughts. While the technology is still in its early stages, Musk hopes that it could one day allow humans to merge with artificial intelligence, opening up new possibilities for human cognition and interaction with technology.
The successful recovery of Neuralink’s first human patient is a promising sign for the future of brain-computer interfaces and their potential to revolutionize healthcare and accessibility for individuals with disabilities. As the technology continues to advance, it holds the promise of transforming the way we interact with technology and unlocking new capabilities for the human brain.