Key points from article :
Elon Musk's Neuralink, a neurotechnology startup, has ambitious plans to implant millions of brain-computer interface chips into people’s brains over the next decade. This goal follows a recent update revealing new advancements in their technology.
Neuralink’s brain implants have already shown promising results in early trials. The second participant in their human study used the device to play video games and design 3D objects solely through mental commands. This capability marks a significant leap from previous assistive technologies that the participant had used.
The brain-computer interface allowed this participant, who has quadriplegia, to accomplish tasks that were otherwise impossible.
For example, they successfully designed and 3D-printed a custom mount for their Neuralink charger and played a first-person shooter game using mental control instead of physical joysticks. The participant expressed amazement at the technology, noting how it allowed them to control the game character simply by thinking about it.
Neuralink’s ongoing research, known as the Prime study, is focused on improving the lives of individuals with severe disabilities. The company envisions a future where their technology could enable new capabilities, such as streaming music directly to the brain and enhancing vision.
However, some neuroscientists caution that such advancements may be decades away and pose risks like hacking and cybersecurity threats.
In the short term, Neuralink aims to refine its implants to better support communication and physical interaction. Upcoming features include new algorithms for recognizing handwriting intent to facilitate faster text entry and controls for robotic arms or wheelchairs, which could significantly enhance the independence of users with neurological conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
