[BY]
Dmytro Kremeznyi
[Category]
Tech
[DATE]
Mar 22, 2024
Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain-computer interface company, has achieved a remarkable milestone. Their first human patient, 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh, paralyzed from the shoulders down due to a diving accident, is now able to play chess using only the power of his mind
The announcement came alongside a poignant video shared by Neuralink, showcasing Arbaugh's transformative journey with the brain chip implant. In the nine-minute footage, Arbaugh eloquently describes his newfound abilities, expressing his amazement at tasks previously deemed impossible, such as engaging in video games.
Reflecting on his experience with the chip implantation surgery, Arbaugh describes it as "super easy," noting the absence of any cognitive impairments. Remarkably, he was discharged from the hospital merely a day after the procedure, highlighting the efficiency and safety of Neuralink's technology.
The tangible benefits Arbaugh has reaped from the Neuralink chip are nothing short of astonishing. He now possesses the ability to control a computer mouse cursor solely with his thoughts, a feat demonstrated in the video as he deftly navigates through a game of chess on a laptop.
Elon Musk told that he envisions a future where signals from the brain's motor cortex can bypass spinal cord damage, potentially restoring mobility and functionality to paralyzed individuals.
However, amidst the triumphs, Arbaugh acknowledges the imperfections of the technology. He candidly admits encountering "some issues," emphasizing that the Neuralink chip is far from flawless. Yet, despite the challenges, he remains optimistic, emphasizing that this breakthrough marks a new beginning rather than an endpoint.
In his closing remarks, Arbaugh humbly underscores the significance of ongoing research and development in the field of neural interfaces. "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," he states. "But this has changed my life."
"One of the first times you gave me complete control over this, I actually stayed up until 6 a.m. playing Civilization VI...it was worth it. It was awesome. I basically had given up playing that game and y'all gave me the ability to do that again," said Arbaugh.
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