Key points
- The first patient who received a Neuralink brain implant showcased his “Telepathy” abilities.
- The brain chip allows him to control a computer and play video games just by thinking.
Elon Musk‘s Neuralink project has taken a leap forward recently when the tech mogul announced that his startup successfully implanted a brain chip into a human subject for the first time.
The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.
Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2024
Spikes, in this context, are referring to peaks of electrical activity that are generated by neurons.
Now, Musk revealed via his X account that the world’s first Neuralink patient is able to control a computer and play video games just by thinking.
Livestream of @Neuralink demonstrating “Telepathy” – controlling a computer and playing video games just by thinking https://t.co/0kHJdayfYy
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 20, 2024
The first product by Neuralink is called “Telepathy, and with its help, the company’s intention is to offer aid to individuals suffering from paralysis to operate equipment that would facilitate their communication and movement.
The first @Neuralink product is called Telepathy
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2024
“Telepathy” allows you to control a computer with your mind
The first patient who received the chip is a paralyzed man who cannot control his body, but with the help of Neuralink, he was able to play a game of chess on a computer just with the help of his mind.
— Neuralink (@neuralink) March 20, 2024
The moves can be seen on the computer’s display, and the patient compares his new ability with Neuralink to possessing “the force” – the telepathic ability featured in the Star Wars franchise.
“I could get it to move wherever I wanted,” the patient says during the livestream. “Just stare somewhere on the screen, and it would move where I wanted it to. It’s so cool.”
The company is optimistic about successfully implanting the chip in more patients in the future, which will allow for further testing and eventual mass distribution.
Neuralink has stated that they will be releasing more updates about the patient’s progress and what else they are able to achieve with the brain chip implant in the coming days.