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Neuralink, Elon Musk’s startup focusing on brain-computer interface technology, released a video on Wednesday of a patient using the company’s brain implant to control a computer mouse and participate in a game of chess.
29-year-old Noland Arbaugh became the first person to receive the Neuralink device, which was a turning point in the company’s history. The brain-computer interface, called telepathy, is Neuralink’s first product and is designed to help people with severe paralysis use nerve signals to control external devices.
In a video stream hosted on Musk’s social media platform X, Arbaugh shared that his experience taught him about a diving competition eight years ago that left him paralyzed. He explained the procedure for implanting the Neuralink device, which is a simple procedure that involves removing part of the skull and then inserting electrodes into the brain tissue. Abo was discharged from the hospital the day after the surgery.
Aware of the shortcomings and ongoing challenges, Abo talked about the change of technology in his life and emphasized the need to improve and add connectivity.
Brain-computer interface represents the process by which the brain decides to give commands to external devices. If successful, it will be possible for people affected by degenerative diseases such as ALS to make digital interventions using only their thoughts.
While companies such as Paradromics, Synchron, Blackrock Neurotech and Precision Neuroscience have also managed to develop similar BCI systems, Neuralink stands out with its high-level cooperation with Musk, who knows the work of Tesla and SpaceX. .
Neuralink Dr. Nader Pouratian, director of the Department of Neurosurgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center, noted long-term efforts in BCI research, emphasizing the need for transparency and collaboration to solve problems in signal interpretation and application.
Neuralink begins its first human clinical trial since receiving FDA approval in May 2023. After Musk announced the news in January, Arbaugh identified him as a participant for the first time. However, details regarding the scope and purpose of this trial are still scant, and the trial is not listed on the medical equipment research platform ClinicalTrials.gov.
Marco Baptista, Dr. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation shares the hope that BCI’s intervention will influence Neuralink to provide more research data to support a better understanding of its technology.
The industry awaits more information About the progress of Neuralink, Baptista emphasized the importance of analyzing reports to verify the effectiveness and safety of the technology; The practices were also seen by other companies in the region.