Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain-computer interface company, continues to advance its promising technology. Recently, the company introduced its second human trial participant, a patient identified as "Alex." This patient has managed to control a video game using only his thoughts, representing a significant advance in Neuralink's implantable device technology.
Alex, a quadriplegic patient, can use Neuralink's device to play a first-person shooter video game, which usually requires two joysticks and several buttons. The company shared this feat in a video, highlighting the interface's potential to restore functionality to people with disabilities.
Neuralink's fully implantable, wireless device is designed to be a substantial improvement over previous technologies. If clinical trials prove it safe, it could offer an innovative solution for thousands of people who have lost motor function. According to reports in The Wall Street Journal, Neuralink has invested more than $600 million in research, highlighting the importance and interest this technology has generated.
The first participant in the trial, Noland Arbaugh, experienced a reduction in the performance of his implant about a month after the initial surgery. This was because some of the tiny wires implanted in his brain had retracted. Despite this setback, the company managed to restore Arbaugh's capabilities after making adjustments to its algorithms.
In contrast, the second participant, Alex, has yet to experience this problem. Neuralink has taken steps to reduce brain movement during surgery and inserted the wires deeper into the motor cortex, resulting in improved implant stability. According to Musk, approximately 40% of the electrodes implanted in Alex provide signals, increasing the potential for the device to decode information.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted Neuralink to implant a second participant, demonstrating its confidence in the company's proposed improvements. According to Musk's statements, Neuralink plans to implant eight more people this year.
Neuralink's continued progress is a step toward transforming the relationship between humans and machines, potentially significantly improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. As The Wall Street Journal reports, the company remains a crucial player in developing brain-computer interfaces, a field that promises to change the future of applied neuroscience.
