Everything You Need to Know about Neuralink – Neuralink Latest Brain Chip Implant

Who is Neuralink and What do They Do

Neuralink is an American neurotechnology company that was founded in 2016 by Elon Musk and a team of seven scientists and engineers. Neuralink is a company interested in developing implantable brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) to better humanity.  In April 2017, Neuralink announced that it was aiming to make devices to treat serious brain diseases in the short-term, with the eventual goal of human enhancement, sometimes called transhumanism.

Image Source: Istockphoto

Neuralink is Musk’s neural-interface-technology company. It’s developing a device that would be embedded in a person’s brain, where it would record brain activity and potentially stimulate it. In January 2024, Musk claimed Neuralink’s first human patient had received a brain implant and I’m going to be providing you with the latest update on the Neuralink Brain cheap implant in a 29-year-old quadriplegic.

Neuralink believes that To restore independence and improve lives, they have to build a brain-computer interface (BCI) experience that enables fast and reliable computer control and prioritizes ease of use.

The coin-sized chip that Neuralink created would be implanted in a person’s skull. A network of microscopic wires, each about 20 times thinner than a human hair, branches out into the patient’s brain from the chip.1,024 electrodes on the wires allow for the monitoring of brain activity and the potential for electrical brain stimulation. Researchers can examine this data on computers when it is wirelessly transferred by the device.

The First Human to Receive Neuralink’s Brain Implant

Image Source: Istockphoto

The first person to receive Neuralink’s brain implant claims that it has improved his quality of life and given him the ability to operate a computer only with his thoughts.

Neuralink presented quadriplegic 29-year-old Nolan Arbaugh, who consented to receive the brain chip back in January, during a live stream on Wednesday. Since then, he has been controlling his computer’s mouse cursor remotely with the implant.

Eight years ago, Arbaugh claimed, he had a “freak diving accident” that left him unable to use his limbs. According to him, he is paralyzed below the shoulders and was seated in a wheelchair. “Below my injury, I have no sensation or movement.”

Because of this, he occasionally finds it difficult to use a computer, even with the accessibility controllers of today. However, Arbaugh demonstrated during the live stream that he can now use his laptop to play chess by tapping Neuralink’s implant.

The implant functions by interpreting the user’s brain signals and converting them into Bluetooth-based remote commands that may be used to operate an electronic gadget, such as a mouse cursor. Arbaugh’s first attempt at this consisted of attempting to move his hands despite his incapacity to do so.

“After that, I just started visualizing the cursor moving on my own.” Referring to Star Wars, he said, “Basically, it was like using the Force on a cursor and I could get it to move wherever I wanted.”

It’s absurd. It is, in fact. It’s really awesome. “I’m incredibly fortunate to be a part of this,” he continued, completing the nine-minute live broadcast. “It feels like we’re learning something new every day.”

Outside of the Neuralink study sessions, he has also been able to play the PC game Civilization VI because of the implant. This recently led to an eight-hour gaming session before his implant required a wireless recharge.

It was fantastic. The physical toll of trying to play the strategic game before the implant caused him to essentially give up on it, he claimed. “I have numerous concerns, including developing pressure sores. Things such as that…Now I can just literally lie in my bed, and play to my heart’s content.”