HardwareElon Musk says the first Neuralink patient can already use brain implant to control a mouse cursorWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

HardwareElon Musk says the first Neuralink patient can already use brain implant to control a mouse cursorWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Neuralink)

Neuralink

As we explained previously, Neuralink aims to produce a brain-computer interface (BCI) that will enable a human to control and communicate with a computer using only their brain activity.

Neuralink’s specific BCI is branded Telepathy and its initial target will be patients who have lost control of their limbs. But the start up’s long term ambitions are very broad and include treatment or support for everything from obesity and autism to depression and schizophrenia.

As for the specifics of what we’ll call Patient A, Musk and Neuralink aren’t being terribly forthcoming, with Musk only revealing that Neuralink is now attempting to get as many mouse button clicks as possible from the patient.

The identity or medical condition, if any, of the patient is not known. Nor is the quality of mouse cursor control or any idea of what the experience is like for the subject.Musk has only saidthat, “progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with no ill effects that we are aware of.”

The robot used to attach the implant to your brain doesn’t look scary. AT ALL.(Image credit: Neuralink)

Neuralink

Of course, some might argue that direct brain control of the likes of a mouse cursor can be achieved without the invasive insertion of a chip. And that’s true. But then you’ve got to start somewhere.

Virtual reality(Image credit: Valve)Best VR headset: which kit should you choose?Best graphics card: you need serious GPU power for VRBest gaming laptop: don’t get tied to your desktop in VR

Virtual reality

(Image credit: Valve)Best VR headset: which kit should you choose?Best graphics card: you need serious GPU power for VRBest gaming laptop: don’t get tied to your desktop in VR

(Image credit: Valve)

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Or maybe the whole thing is just another whacky scheme Musk has cooked up. Is Neuralink another SpaceX, an endeavour that absolutely is revolutionising space flight? Or is it another Hyperloop, the 600mph underground vacuum tube intercity transport system that Musk dreamt up but which has apparently been shelved and the prototype for which has reportedly beenturned into a car park?

Here’s hoping it’s the former, particularly for those for whom the technology promises huge benefits to everything from personal mobility to freedom and quality of life. For the record, Neuralink’s first clinical trials remainopen to recruitment.

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