Noland Arbaugh is the first-ever Neuralink patient to receive a brain-chip implant. He uses it to play video games and chess. (Image Credit: Neuralink/X)
I was wondering why they didn't share the patient's story last time I talked about Neuralink. But here it is!
Back in January, Neuralink implanted a brain chip in a human patient for the first time, and they controlled a cursor using their thoughts. During a recent livestream on X, the startup unveiled that the recipient is 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh, who became paralyzed eight years ago due to a diving accident. He demonstrated his ability to use the brain-chip implant by playing online chess and controlling his mouse.
He said the procedure went well and left him with no negative effects. “The surgery was super easy. I literally was released from the hospital a day later. I have no cognitive impairments.”
His life also improved as a result. For instance, the device allowed him to independently play video games, like Civilization VI, for hours at a time. “I had basically given up playing that game. You all gave me the ability to do that again and played for eight hours straight.”
However, the chip still needs some work."It's not perfect. I would say we have run into some issues. I don't want people to think that this is the end of the journey. There's a lot of work to be done, but it has already changed my life," Arbaugh said, with Neuralink engineer Bliss Chapman present.
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