Recently revealed images show an impressive milestone in brain-computer interface technology: the first person to operate the innovative Neuralink brain implant, developed by Elon Musk’s company. The device allows the user to control a computer cursor and interact with video games using exclusively brain signals.
Noland Arbaugh, 29, who lives with paraplegia, demonstrates this extraordinary ability by playing chess with his mind, as documented in a video posted on Platform X.
Noland Arbaugh said from his wheelchair: “See that cursor on the screen? It’s all me…it’s all brain power.”
In the video, Noland Arbaugh’s infectious joy is evident as he demonstrates the ability to move the computer cursor with just thought, smoothly sliding it across the screen in a display of mind control.
He even made an exciting analogy, comparing the experience with the use of the “Force”, as portrayed in the iconic Star Wars saga, highlighting how revolutionary the human-machine interaction provided by Neuralink is.
Noland added: “I’m so incredibly lucky to be a part of this, every day it feels like we’re learning new things.”
Eight years ago, an unusual car accident drastically altered Noland’s life, resulting in paraplegia in his shoulders. Before that event, Noland, then 21, was a chess enthusiast and frequently indulged in the game while working at a children’s camp in Texas in 2016.
He said, “This is one of the things you have allowed me to do… I haven’t been able to do much in the last few years.”
This Halloween, Noland has creative plans: He will dress up as Professor X, the famous paraplegic X-Men character known for his ability to move objects with the power of his mind. A symbolic choice that reflects your own capabilities.
Nolan added: “I don’t want anyone to think this is the end of the journey, there’s still a lot of work to be done. But it’s already changed my life, and I think people who are thinking about signing up for the human trials, or are thinking about finding some way to help with this, should do their part. That’s the reason I got involved, because I just wanted to help. I want to be part of something that I feel will change the world.”
Elon Musk’s innovation promises to radically transform care for people with disabilities. A month ago, Musk revealed that the Neuralink chip had been successfully implanted in an individual, fueling expectations of significant advances in the area.
He said at a Spaces on X event: “Progress is good and the patient appears to have made a full recovery, with neural effects that we know of.”
He reposted the video of Arbaugh using “telepathy” on Wednesday, along with the caption: “Live stream from Neuralink demonstrating ‘Telepathy’ – controlling a computer and playing video games with just thought.”
Neuralink’s sophisticated brain implant was placed using a precise robotic procedure, where the device is inserted into a specific area of the brain responsible for motor coordination.
The surgical technique for installing the Neuralink brain implant involves an advanced robotic procedure that carefully removes a tiny section of the skull to position the electrodes in the brain tissue. After placing the electrodes, the robot performs meticulous sutures, leaving only a discreet incision as a trace of the surgery.
Elon Musk claims that the process is surprisingly quick, lasting around 30 minutes, and patients have the possibility of returning to their homes on the same day as the procedure.
However, Neuralink faces criticism due to tests carried out on animals. Reports indicate that thousands of animals, including monkeys, underwent surgeries where holes were made in their heads and filled with adhesive substances. Additionally, there have been cases of limb amputations and euthanasia of animals that developed complications such as diarrhea and vomiting. It is estimated that around 1,500 animals, including sheep and pigs, were affected by the company’s tests.
