Neuralink, the brain-computer interface company founded by Elon Musk, has announced a significant milestone: its second trial patient is successfully using design software and playing video games. This achievement comes after the company addressed challenges faced with its first patient, who experienced a decline in implant performance.
In a blog post, Neuralink revealed that the second patient, known as “Alex,” has avoided the issues that affected the first patient. The company implemented various improvements, including reducing brain movement during surgery and optimizing the distance between the implant and the brain surface to minimize the risk of thread retraction.
Alex, a former automotive technician, has been using the Neuralink device to learn computer-aided design (CAD) software. He designed a custom mount for his Neuralink charger just two days after receiving the implant. “I’m already super impressed with how this works,” Alex stated, expressing his excitement about regaining his ability to create. “Taking an idea, putting it as a design, and actually having a physical item as a finished product makes me feel like I’m building things again.”
Neuralink’s ambitious plans involve implanting eight more people this year, with Musk predicting hundreds, then thousands, and eventually millions of people using Neuralink implants within the next decade.
The company’s first patient, Noland Arbaugh, experienced a decrease in his implant’s performance a month after his surgery. However, Neuralink was able to restore Arbaugh’s capabilities by adjusting its algorithms. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges and the need for continuous improvement in this field.
Neuralink’s technology has the potential to revolutionize medicine, restoring movement in paralyzed patients and enhancing human abilities. However, the company faces competition from other neurotech startups, such as Paradromics, which is also preparing for human trials of its brain implant.
Despite the challenges and competition, Neuralink’s progress with its second patient marks a significant step towards the company’s vision of a future where brain-computer interfaces are commonplace.
