Photos/Video: Noland Arbaugh The First Patient To Receive A Brain Chip From Elon Musk's Neuralink

Elon Musk's neurotechnology company's first brain chip implant patient uses his thoughts to control a computer

Elon Musk's Neuralink computer chip was surgically installed in the brain of 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh, who suffered a diving accident that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down for eight years. Arbaugh demonstrated the capabilities of the gadget.

In a live video, Arbaugh and a Neuralink engineer demonstrated how he uses only his thoughts to control a music stream and move a computer cursor.

With its 1,000 electrodes, the implanted chip records brain activity and movement intentions. It then sends this information to a Neuralink computer for analysis, enabling the successful conversion of ideas into actions.

Viewers saw Arbaugh's mind control his cursor as it moved through an online chess game during the experiment.

This 9-minute video, posted on Neuralink's X account, provides an early look at the technology. Elon Musk created the usually closed firm in 2016.

Neuralink has up to now mostly kept information about its technology and human trials private, in spite of pleas for greater openness.

Comparing the sensation to using the Force to move the pointer, Arbaugh made reference to “Star Wars.”

He was the first person to receive the chip in January, and he talked about how simple the process was and how quickly he recovered, being able to leave the hospital the next day with no cognitive deficits.

Arbaugh highlighted the technology's ability to change people's lives while expressing gratitude for the chance.

Arbaugh used to need help to play games like online chess and other hobbies, but now that he has his own device, he can play from the comfort of his bed until the rechargeable battery runs out.

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the Neuralink brain chip for use in human trials after it underwent extensive testing on animals, despite opposition from animal rights organizations.

Although there have been setbacks, Arbaugh emphasized that the technology is still being refined and that, in spite of these difficulties, it has already completely changed his life.

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