Noland Arbaugh became the first human being to receive the neural chip implant developed by Neuralink, a company that specializes in the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCI). And although the device has allowed him to use computers with only his mind, the same company led by Elon Musk reported that the advance had a malfunction.
Let us remember that the objective of this chip is to bring humanity closer to a future where the control of machines through thought is possible. A crucial milestone for the approximately 180,000 Americans living with quadriplegia, as well as the nearly 18,000 people who suffer crippling spinal cord injuries each year.
In fact, for almost 100 days, Arbaugh, who became a quadriplegic after a diving accident in 2016 at the age of 22, was able to enjoy activities again such as playing online, browsing the Internet and using various applications.
Before the implant, this patient relied on a tablet stylus held in his mouth to interact with electronic devices, a method that was uncomfortable and limited his ability to communicate and multitask efficiently.
What was the problem reported by Nueralink?
Neuralink revealed that a few weeks after its insertion, the chip developed complications with several connecting threads retracting from Arbaugh’s brain, affecting the device’s ability to capture data as effectively.
The company clarified that, although this represented a challenge, at no time was it considered necessary to remove the implant, because it did not imply a risk to the patient’s health nor did it greatly compromise its functionality.
In addition, adjustments were undertaken to the device and its algorithms to compensate for the loss in performance, resulting in a substantial improvement in the bits per second (BPS) rate, key for brain-computer interaction.
How Nolan Arbaugh’s life has changed since the implant
Arbaugh, who lost mobility and muscle control down his neck, says he has experienced a notable improvement in his quality of life since receiving the implant.
“They are giving me too much, it’s like an overload of luxury, I haven’t been able to do these things for 8 years and now I don’t even know where to start focusing my attention,” said the patient who described his experience as “using the Force.” in a clear allusion to the ability to manipulate objects with the mind that the Jedi have in Star Wars.
In fact, thanks to the chip that is made up of more than 1,000 electrodes distributed in 64 threads inserted into Arbaugh’s cerebral cortex, this man has been able to resume hobbies such as immersing himself for hours in the video game Civilization 6.
Furthermore, you are not only limited to strategy titles, but now you can also enjoy dynamic video games like Mario Kart, without the need for physical controls. “The games I can play now are much better than before. I am beating my friends in games that, as a quadriplegic, I should not beat them,” he concluded.
It is important to note that the implant is part of the PRIME Study (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface), which not only evaluates the safety and functionality of the Neuralink chip, but also aims to expand its capabilities to allow users to control a wider range of devices, including robotic arms and wheelchairs.
The objective of this development is not only to improve the quality of life of people with conditions such as paralysis, but also seeks to treat neurodegenerative diseases and movement disorders such as Parkinson’s and epilepsy.
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