21 February 2024
The first human patient who received a brain chip from Neuralink appears to have fully recovered. The patient is able to control a computer mouse using their thoughts, Neuralink's founder Elon Musk said recently.
In an event on social media service X, Musk said, "Progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with no ill effects that we are aware of. Patient is able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking."
Musk said Neuralink was now trying to get as many mouse button clicks as possible from the patient.
Neuralink did not immediately reply to Reuters' request for further details.
The company successfully implanted a chip in its first human patient last month, after receiving approval for studying human volunteers in September.
The study uses a robot to surgically place a brain-computer interface implant in an area of the brain that controls the intention to move, Neuralink has said.
The company added that the goal is to enable people to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts.
Musk has big hopes for Neuralink. He has suggested its chip devices could help treat conditions like obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia.
Neuralink, which was valued at about $5 billion last year, has faced repeated calls for careful study of its safety rules and processes. Last month, the company got a fine for breaking U.S. Department of Transportation rules regarding the movement of hazardous materials.
I'm John Russell.
John Russell adapted this story from a Reuters report.
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Words in This Story
chip – n. a very small piece of hard material in a device that contains many electronic circuits
implant – v. to put (something) in an specific place
interface – n. the area at which different things communicate with each other
intention – n. an aim or purpose
cursor – n. a mark or design on a computer screen that shows the place where information is being entered