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Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind Neuralink, shared a groundbreaking development during a Spaces session on the social media platform X. Musk revealed that a patient implanted with Neuralink’s brain technology can now control a computer mouse through sheer thought.
“The patient seems to have made a full recovery with no ill effects that we are aware of and is able to control the mouse, move the mouse around the screen just by thinking,” Musk disclosed during the session.
Neuralink, Musk’s brain-computer interface company, has been working tirelessly to develop a brain implant that harnesses neural signals to enable humans to control external technologies. The ultimate goal is to restore lost capabilities such as vision, motor function, and speech.
In January, Neuralink achieved a significant milestone by implanting its device in a human for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s journey. Utilizing a precision robot, Neuralink ensures accurate implantation of the device into the brain.
Musk elaborated on the current progress, stating that Neuralink aims to maximize “button presses” through thought alone, allowing patients to perform tasks like moving a computer mouse and dragging boxes on a screen.
The road to this achievement has been paved with rigorous testing and regulatory approvals. Neuralink commenced recruiting patients for its inaugural in-human clinical trial last fall, following approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May. This trial represents a critical step towards Neuralink’s ultimate goal of commercialization.
As with any medical device, Neuralink must undergo thorough rounds of data collection and safety testing to obtain final FDA approval. Despite the challenges ahead, Musk’s announcement underscores the immense potential of Neuralink’s technology to revolutionize human-machine interactions and enhance the lives of individuals with neurological conditions.