Neuralink, Elon Musk's Brain Chip Startup, Seeks Second Trial Volunteer
Neuralink, the brain implant startup founded by Elon Musk, is now in search of a second individual to participate in its human trial and test the innovative device. According to the billionaire, Neuralink is inviting applications for this significant opportunity on a specified date.
Elon Musk's company Neuralink is looking for a second person to join their human trial for testing their brain implant device. This announcement was made by the billionaire on X Friday.
This request comes after Neuralink implanted a brain chip into their first human trial participant, Noland Arbaugh, five months ago. Recently, the company revealed that there was an unexpected issue with the implant. The threads connecting the chip to Arbaugh's brain had retracted, causing some performance problems. However, Neuralink stated that they have made adjustments to enhance the device's functionality.
Arbaugh, who has been a quadriplegic since 2016 due to a diving accident, shared that the implant, allowing him to control a computer cursor with his brain, has significantly impacted his life. In an interview with Good Morning America that aired on Friday, Arbaugh expressed how the implant has given him a renewed sense of purpose. He mentioned feeling grateful for being part of a groundbreaking technology that he believes will greatly benefit individuals with paralysis.
The Neuralink website on a smartphone arranged in New York, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. Elon Musk said that the first human patient has received a brain implant from his startup Neuralink Corp., a significant step forward for the company that aims to one day let humans control computers with their minds.
The Neuralink website was displayed on a smartphone in New York, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. Elon Musk announced that the first human patient has successfully received a brain implant from his company Neuralink Corp. This marks a major milestone for the company's goal of enabling humans to control computers using their thoughts.
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Neuralink encountered an issue with its initial brain chip implant, but they found a solution.
Now, Neuralink is looking for individuals like Arbaugh to try out their brain chip. The company is inviting people with quadriplegia who are interested in exploring new methods of computer control to join their clinical trial.
Neuralink's goal is to develop implants that can link human brains to computers, allowing paralyzed individuals to control devices like smartphones or computers, or enabling blind individuals to potentially restore their vision. These implants would function similarly to existing brain-machine interfaces by capturing brain signals and translating them into actions.
The current participants in Neuralink's PRIME Study, which stands for Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface, will help assess the safety of the implant and surgical robot, as well as test the device's functionality. This information was shared in a blog post by the company in 2023.
The company is currently looking for trial patients who have limited or no ability to use both hands, either due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
These trial patients will undergo a surgical procedure to have chips implanted in the part of the brain responsible for controlling movement intention. These chips will then record and transmit brain signals to an app. The main objective initially is to enable individuals to control a computer cursor or keyboard solely using their thoughts, as Neuralink has detailed before.
About a month after the operation, Musk announced that Arbaugh was able to control a computer mouse using his brain. A video later showed Arbaugh playing chess on a computer solely with his brain.
However, Arbaugh faced a setback when his device experienced a problem that slowed down its data processing and performance. He shared on Good Morning America that he was emotional and "cried afterwards."
“It was very, very hard to give up all of the amazing things that I was able to do,” he said.
However, Neuralink says the issue was part of its learning process.
We conduct clinical trials and early feasibility trials to identify issues early on before they are released to the market. DJ Seo, who co-founded Neuralink with Musk, explained on Good Morning America that they worked hard to find solutions to help Noland improve his performance successfully.
However, consumers will not have immediate access to the technology. Neuralink's brain implants will require additional regulatory approval before becoming available to a wider market.
–CNN’s Jordan Valinsky contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
Elon Musk's Neuralink is taking a bold step forward with their human trials for brain implant devices. The company's mission to enhance the lives of individuals with paralysis and other disabilities is truly inspiring. Noland Arbaugh's experience as the first human trial participant highlights the potential benefits of this technology, enabling him to regain some control over his life after a devastating accident.
It's important to note that the field of brain implants is still in its early stages, and there will inevitably be challenges along the way. The recent issue with Arbaugh's implant serves as a reminder that these devices require careful monitoring and refinement. However, Neuralink's commitment to addressing these issues and improving the device's functionality is encouraging. The company's focus on safety and collaboration with experts in the field is crucial for ensuring the success of this groundbreaking technology.
