A paralyzed man can now control a virtual drone by thinking alone, thanks to a new medical breakthrough. This experiment shows how brain-computer interface technology can connect brain signals to complex control systems.
Researchers from the University of Michigan, led by neurosurgeon Matthew Willsey, tested how well BCIs could handle complex tasks needing multiple inputs. This research stands out because it goes beyond previous studies that only let paralyzed people control one thing at a time, like moving a cursor.
The 69-year-old participant, who is paralyzed from a spinal cord injury, had a Blackrock Neurotech BCI implanted with 192 electrodes directly into their brain’s motor cortex. The AI system we created could read brain signals related to imagining moving the thumb or fingers and used these signals to fly a drone through a virtual maze.

“His life now matches what he always wanted,” Willsey explained. The person who loved flying before their injury said controlling the drone felt like playing a musical instrument in their mind. He faced the task with clear thinking and effort and felt great joy when he showed his success to his friends.
The successful drone control shows how BCIs can dramatically improve the lives of people with disabilities. As research continues, we may find ways to use brain activity to help people type, sew, and play music through small hand movements. The technology is still new, but it faces two big problems: it needs to learn from each person’s brain differently, and it must adjust when the brain’s activity changes over time.
The experiment took place in a virtual setting for safety reasons, but it shows us how to move forward with real-world uses. As BCI technology improves, it will change how people with physical challenges live their lives.