Neuralink: According to Musk's Company, the First Patient with a Brain Chip Plays Online Chess

Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain-chip company, recently demonstrated a remarkable achievement: a patient successfully controlling a computer cursor through an implanted device.

During a livestream on X, formerly Twitter, Noland Arbaugh showcases his chess skills by playing online.
Mr. Arbaugh experienced paralysis below the shoulders following a diving accident and underwent a chip implant procedure in January.

The company aims to establish a connection between human brains and computers in order to address intricate neurological conditions.

“The surgery was a breeze,” Mr Arbaugh mentioned during the presentation.
Additionally, Mr. Arbaugh mentioned his experience using the brain implant to enjoy the video game Civilization VI. He mentioned that Neuralink allowed him to regain that ability and play for eight hours straight.

Nevertheless, Mr. Arbaugh acknowledged that the latest technology has its flaws and they have encountered some challenges.

Neuralink has developed a compact device that can be implanted into the skull. It utilizes tiny wires to detect neuron activity and transmit a wireless signal to a receiver.

The company has also conducted experiments in pigs and asserted that monkeys are capable of playing a simplified version of the video game Pong.
In May 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Neuralink permission to conduct human testing of the chip.

Neuralink is part of a growing community of companies and university departments working to improve and eventually bring this technology to the market.

As an interesting development, the École Polytechnique Fédérale in Lausanne in Switzerland has achieved the remarkable feat of enabling Gert-Jan Oskam, who is paralyzed, to walk simply by using his thoughts to control the movements.
Mr. Oskam’s remarkable achievement involved the use of electronic implants on his brain and spine. These implants enable wireless communication of his thoughts to his legs and feet.

The breakthrough findings were published in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Nature last year.
The human brain contains approximately 86 billion neurons, which are interconnected by synapses.
Whenever we desire to move, experience sensations, or engage in cognitive processes, a minuscule electrical impulse is produced and rapidly transmitted between neurons.

Researchers have made significant advancements in the field of signal detection, utilizing innovative devices that can pick up on these signals. These devices come in the form of non-invasive caps worn on the head or wires that are implanted directly into the brain.
The technology, which is currently receiving significant research funding, is called a brain-computer interface (BCI).