Neuralink unveiled a live demo showcasing a patient using the company’s brain implant to control a computer mouse and play chess.
29-year old Noland Arbaugh, stands as the first human to get Neuralink implant. Patients who have severe paralysis can benefit from BCI technology using neural signals. In an earlier announcement on social media in January, Musk referred to Neuralink’s first product as “Telepathy.”
Arbaugh described how an accident nearly eight years ago left him quadriplegic. He explained how the Neuralink device is used in surgery, where a section of the skull is removed and electrodes are inserted into the brain tissue. He said he was discharged from the hospital the next day.
“It’s not perfect. I would say that we have run into some issues,” Arbaugh said. “I don’t want people to think that this is the end of the journey. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but it has already changed my life.”
Moreover, Arbaugh underlined that the technology is revolutionary and expressed hope about its potential to change people’s lives.
For those suffering from degenerative diseases like ALS, the idea of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) seems promising. Numerous businesses have attempted to create BCI systems with comparable capabilities, including Paradromics, Synchron, Blackrock Neurotech, and Precision Neuroscience. However, Neuralink stands out because of Musk’s reputation.
In May 2023, after receiving FDA approval, Neuralink started accepting patients for its initial in-person clinical trial. With the minimal information given, there are concerns regarding the transparency of Neuralink’s trial.
Dr. Marco Baptista, Chief Scientific Officer of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, commended Neuralink’s efforts but emphasized the need for thorough scientific reporting and peer-reviewed publications to support claims.