The first human patient implanted with a Neuralink brain chip can control a computer mouse using thought. This is what Elon Musk, the naturalized South African American billionaire and founder of the start-up, said. “Progress is good and the patient appears fully recovered, with neural effects that we are aware of. The patient is able to move the mouse on the screen just by thinking,” Musk said at a Platform event.
The chip implant
In recent weeks, Neuralink successfully implanted one of its chips into its first human patient, after receiving the green light to recruit volunteers willing to undergo the trial last September. In this first phase of the project, the startup founded by Elon Musk surgically places an implant in a region of the brain that controls movements. The goal, apparently achieved, is to allow people to control a computer mouse or keyboard simply by using their thoughts. But the objective that Neuralink is aiming for in the medium and long term is much more ambitious. Using these chips, the company hopes to treat pathologies such as obesity, autism, depression and schizophrenia.
Read also:
