Noland Arbaugh became paralyzed below his shoulders after being involved in a car accident in 2016, and eight years later, he became the first person to receive a Neuralink chip.
Neurosurgeons implanted a Neuralink chip, which is the size of a coin, into different areas of Nolan’s brain tissue.
The chip contained 64 flexible threads, each thinner than a human hair. It works as a ‘brain computer interface’ (BCI) that detects electrical impulses generated when a person thinks about moving. These signals are converted into digital form, enabling Noland to operate a computer using his mind.
During a live-streamed demonstration, Noland played chess and other online games without making a single movement. He explained that the experience felt like using “Force powers” from Star Wars.
“Honestly I didn’t know what to expect – it sounds so sci-fi,” he told BBC. “I grew up playing games,” Noland added.
“Now I’m beating my friends at games, which really shouldn’t be possible but it is.
“… We know so little about the brain and this is allowing us to learn so much more.”
At one point, he experienced issues with the chip when it disconnected from his brain, but Neuralink restored his capabilities after certain modifications of their algorithm.
Speaking of Neuralink, whom Musk co-founded in 2016 and whose goal is to develop brain-machine interfaces and treat neurological conditions – eventually merging human cognition with AI – the tech-billionaire wrote on X, “Long-term, it is possible to shunt the signals from the brain motor cortex past the damaged part of the spine to enable people to walk again and use their arms normally.”
Neuralink commented: “Our current work is focused on pushing cursor control performance to the same level as that of able-bodied individuals, and on expanding functionality to include text entry.
“In the future we intend to extend the Link’s functionality to the physical world to enable control of robotic arms, wheelchairs, and other technologies that may help increase independence for people living with quadriplegia.”
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