Current:Home > StocksHuman with Neuralink brain chip sees improvement after initial malfunction, company says -ProsperityEdge
Human with Neuralink brain chip sees improvement after initial malfunction, company says
View
Date:2025-04-18 13:37:19
There have been some issues with Neuralink’s brain-computer interface device, or brain chip since it was implanted in its first human patient, the company said in a blog post.
It’s been about eight months since the tech startup owned and co-founded by Elon Musk first announced that the company was seeking participants for its first clinical trial, and about a year since it received FDA approval to start implanting the BCI device in humans.
The idea and ultimate goal of the software is to grant people with paralysis the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard by thought alone.
The process is said to be going “extremely well” so far, with Neuralink reporting that Noland Arbaugh, the company’s first human participant was able to go home the day after the chip was implanted.
But Neuralink scientists have noticed some issues, writing that “some of the device's electrode-studded threads started retracting from the brain tissue” in February, a month after it was surgically implanted.
Here’s what we know.
Cursor control impacted by issue, software fix brings 'rapid' improvement
The retraction of the electrode-studded threads from Arbaugh’s brain caused a malfunction, impacting the his ability to quickly and accurately control the computer’s cursor.
Neuralink addressed this issue, modifying the “recording algorithm” to be more sensitive to the flow of signals between clusters of nerve cells in the brain.
And also “improved” the techniques used to translate those signals into cursor movements.
Neuralink’s fixes “produced a rapid and sustained improvement in BPS, that has now superseded Noland’s initial performance,” the blog post said. BPS, or bits-per-second is a standard used to measure speed and accuracy of cursor control.
Arbaugh’s experience with the “link” is closely monitored, participating in research sessions for up to 8 hours a day. The device is being used a total of 69 hours over the course of a week, broken up in 35 hours of structured sessions and 34 hours for personal use and recreation.
"In the weeks since his surgery, Noland has used the Link to control his laptop from various positions, including while lying down in bed. He plays online computer games with friends (Chess, Civilization VI), browses the internet, live streams, and uses other applications on his MacBook, all by controlling a cursor with his mind,” the Neuralink blog post said.
Text entry, better cursor control performance is the immediate goal
With the issue of electrode-studded thread retraction resolved, the post said Neuralink scientists are currently working to “push cursor control performance to the same level as that of able-bodied individuals.”
As well expanding the link’s functionality to include text entry, which in the future could enable the control of “robotic arms, wheelchairs, and other technologies” to help people living with quadriplegia.
“I think it [the technology should give a lot of people a lot of hope for what this thing can do for them, first and foremost their gaming experience, but then that'll translate into so much more and I think that's awesome,” according to Arbaugh, who is quoted in the blog.
veryGood! (446)
Related
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- California man charged with killing gay college student takes the stand
- A newborn baby was left abandoned on a hot Texas walking trail. Authorities want to know why.
- Dollar Tree failed to pull lead-contaminated applesauce for months, FDA says
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- California wildfires force evacuations of thousands; Sonoma County wineries dodge bullet
- Another world record falls at Olympic trials. Regan Smith sets mark in 100 back
- Aaron Judge, Yankees avoid catastrophic injury after slugger hit in hand by pitch
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- What's next for the Rangers after placing Barclay Goodrow on waivers?
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Police in Oklahoma arrest man accused of raping, killing Maryland jogger last August
- A new 'Game of Thrones' prequel is coming: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' cast, release
- Mount Lai Has Everything You Need to Gua Sha Your Face & Scalp Like a Pro
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- How do I apply for a part-time position in a full-time field? Ask HR
- 2024 College World Series highlights: Tennessee rolls past Florida State, advances to CWS final
- Girl found slain after missing 8th grade graduation; boyfriend charged
Recommendation
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
What's next for the Rangers after placing Barclay Goodrow on waivers?
Run, Don’t Walk to Lands’ End for 50% Off Swimwear & 40% Off Everything Else for a Limited Time Only
These $14.99 Home Finds From Kandi Burruss Aren't Just Known in Atlanta, They're Worldwide
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
More life sentences for shooter in fatal LGBTQ+ nightclub attack
These Star Wars-Themed Tumblers from Corkcicle Will Keep Your Drinks Hot (or Cold) in Every Galaxy
Florida medical marijuana patients get an unexpected email praising DeSantis