Elon Musk's Neuralink Reveals First Patient with Wireless Brain Implant

Elon Musk's Neuralink has introduced the first patient to receive its wireless brain-computer interface implant. Noland Arbaugh, a 29-year-old diving-accident victim, demonstrated in a live presentation that he can now move a computer cursor using the Neuralink device implanted in his brain.

During a nine-minute presentation streamed on Musk's X platform, Arbaugh showed that he could direct the cursor around a screen to play a game of chess, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The ability to move a cursor is notable given Neuralink’s wireless capacity. Older brain chips required wires to transmit data, Neuralink's device can transmit data wirelessly, allowing it to be used at home and outside of a laboratory setting.

Noland Arbaugh lost all movement beneath his shoulders following his accident in June 2016. Since receiving the implant, Arbaugh has been learning to use it, describing a process of training the device to understand how his thoughts translate to moving the cursor. Although "it's not perfect," Arbaugh said, the Neuralink implant has already changed his life.

Other companies such as Paradromics, Precision Neuroscience, and Synchron are also working on brain-computer implant technology. Neuralink stands out due to its wireless and multitasking capabilities.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Neuralink's ultimate aim is to augment perfectly healthy individuals with its brain implant to help the human race keep up with artificial intelligence. Before achieving this goal, the company must demonstrate that its implants are safe and effective for patients like Arbaugh who are dealing with debilitating conditions.