Elon Musk’s Neuralink is launching a new feasibility trial for its brain implant technology, aiming to enable quadriplegic patients to control robotic arms with their thoughts. The trial builds on successful initial human implants in the US and recent Canadian approval.
A groundbreaking brain implant developed by Synchron has enabled an ALS patient to control Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant using only his thoughts. This technology opens doors for individuals with disabilities to regain independence and interact with smart home devices in a hands-free and voice-free manner.
Neuralink’s initial human brain implant encountered a setback when the device partially detached from the patient’s brain. The implant, inserted into Noland Arbaugh’s skull in February, experienced a decline in functionality due to retracting threads that connected it to the brain. Despite the issue, Neuralink engineers addressed the problem and restored the implant’s functionality.
Neuralink Corporation, Elon Musk’s brain technology company, has reported mechanical issues with the device implanted in its first human patient. Weeks after the January surgery, some electrode-studded threads in the brain tissue began to retract, impairing the device’s proper functioning. Neuralink addressed this issue through software fixes, leading to a significant improvement in the patient’s performance. The company is currently working on enhancing text entry and cursor control for the device, with plans to expand its use to physical devices like robotic arms and wheelchairs.
