The patient who first received Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain implant has fully recovered and, even more remarkably, can now move a computer mouse on a screen simply by thinking, without any physical movement. Elon Musk disclosed this on Monday during an X Spaces event hosted by journalist Katherine Brodsky.
“Progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with no ill effects that we are aware of,” Elon Musk said during the X Space. “Patient is able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking.”
In January, Neuralink revealed it had completed its brain chip technology implantation in the first patient. This achievement is the culmination of years of research conducted by academic laboratories and other companies to link human brains to computers to tackle various diseases and disabilities.
How does Neuralink work?
The Neuralink brain chip consists of tiny flexible electrode threads inserted into the brain by a surgical robot. The brain comprises special cells known as neurons, responsible for sending signals to other cells within the body, including muscles and nerves. The Neuralink brain chip’s electrodes are placed next to the neurons (brain cells) and are designed to detect these signals, converting them into commands for movement. This enables the control of devices, such as computers or smartphones, and the regulation of body processes, such as the movement of muscles.
‘It’s like replacing a piece of the skull with a smartwatch,’ Elon Musk has said.
What are the future goals of Neuralink's brain implant?
While still early in development, Neuralink aims to use this brain chip technology to achieve several objectives:
- Restore mobility for quadriplegics and paraplegics through robotic limb control.
- Give sight to the blind by interfacing with optical implants or smart glasses.
- Enable typing and communication simply by thinking words.
- Treat neurological conditions like Parkinson’s, dementia and depression.
- Ultimately enhance human cognition and intelligence.
With the success of Neuralink’s first brain chip implantation, they now have FDA approval to launch more extensive Neuralink human trials. These will rigorously test the technology’s abilities and safety.
