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Paralyzed patient regains digital control with Neuralink's implant, but technical issues persist

Loose wires caused setbacks, prompting a search for a second volunteer for testing

18-May-2024

Key points from article :

Neuralink, a neurotechnology company, is seeking a second volunteer for their experimental brain implant after experiencing technical issues with their first human trial.

The first patient, paralyzed since 2016, reported significant improvements in controlling digital devices using the implant, but also experienced a loss of functionality due to loose wires.

Despite this setback, Neuralink claims to have partially restored the patient's functionality and is now seeking a second participant for their ongoing research.

Elon Musk, Neuralink's co-founder, advertised the opportunity on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the implant's potential for controlling devices with thoughts.

The company's first human trial has been met with both excitement and caution due to the technology's potential risks and ethical implications.

While the long-term effects and success of the implant remain uncertain, Neuralink's research represents a significant advancement in the field of brain-computer interfaces.

Mentioned in this article:

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Elon Musk

Technology entrepreneur, investor, and engineer

Neuralink

Company developing high bandwidth brain-machine interfaces to connect humans and machines.

Topics mentioned on this page:
Brain Interface, Medical Technology
Paralyzed patient regains digital control with Neuralink's implant, but technical issues persist