Neuralink, the brain-chip company founded by Elon Musk, has reached a significant milestone as it unveils its first patient utilizing an implanted device to control a computer cursor. In a groundbreaking demonstration streamed live on X (formerly Twitter), Noland Arbaugh, who was paralyzed below the shoulders due to a diving accident, showcased his ability to play chess online using the cursor controlled by the Neuralink implant.
Arbaugh, who received the chip implant in January, expressed his experience during the presentation, describing the surgery as “super easy.” He elaborated further, revealing his enjoyment of playing the video game Civilization VI for eight hours straight, thanks to the capabilities afforded by Neuralink’s technology.
However, Arbaugh noted that the technology isn’t flawless, acknowledging some encountered issues. The Neuralink device, about the size of a one-pound coin, is surgically inserted into the skull, featuring microscopic wires that can detect neuron activity and transmit wireless signals to a receiving unit.
Neuralink’s advancements aren’t limited to human trials; the company has conducted experiments on pigs and claimed that monkeys can play a basic version of the video game Pong using their technology. With permission granted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2023, Neuralink’s pursuit aligns with a broader trend in the field.
Several companies and academic institutions, such as the École Polytechnique Fédérale in Lausanne, Switzerland, are investing efforts in refining and commercializing brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. Notably, the École Polytechnique Fédérale enabled Gert-Jan Oskam, a paralyzed individual, to walk simply by thinking about the movements, achieved through electronic implants on Oskam’s brain and spine, as detailed in a peer-reviewed journal Nature.
BCI technology capitalizes on the brain’s intricate neural network, consisting of approximately 86 billion interconnected neurons transmitting electrical impulses at remarkable speeds. Scientists are harnessing these signals through various means, ranging from non-invasive caps to implanted wires, to develop interfaces allowing direct communication between the brain and computers. This frontier in neuroscience research continues to attract significant investment and attention, promising transformative advancements in understanding and aiding neurological conditions.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
