Neuralink's first human patient able to control mouse through thinking,
Musk says
Send a link to a friend
[February 20, 2024]
(Reuters) - The first human patient implanted with a brain-chip
from Neuralink appears to have fully recovered and is able to control a
computer mouse using their thoughts, the startup's founder Elon Musk
said late on Monday.
"Progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery,
with no ill effects that we are aware of. Patient is able to move a
mouse around the screen by just thinking," Musk said in a Spaces event
on social media platform X.
Musk said Neuralink was now trying to get as many mouse button clicks as
possible from the patient.
Neuralink did not immediately reply to Reuters' request for further
details.
The firm successfully implanted a chip on its first human patient last
month, after receiving approval for human trial recruitment in
September.
The study uses a robot to surgically place a brain-computer interface
implant in a region of the brain that controls the intention to move,
Neuralink has said, adding that the initial goal is to enable people to
control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts.
[to top of second column]
|
Neuralink logo and Elon Musk silhouette are seen in this
illustration taken, December 19, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File
Photo
Musk has grand ambitions for
Neuralink, saying it would facilitate speedy surgical insertions of
its chip devices to treat conditions like obesity, autism,
depression, and schizophrenia.
Neuralink, which was valued at about $5 billion last year, has faced
repeated calls for scrutiny regarding its safety protocols. Reuters
reported last month that the firm was fined for violating U.S.
Department of Transportation rules regarding the movement of
hazardous materials.
(Reporting by Kanjyik Ghosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Varun H K)
[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |