Neuralink's Musk: First human patient can control mouse by thinking

 

FREMONT, California: This week, Neuralink founder Elon Musk said the startup's first human patient implanted with its brain-chip seems to have fully recovered and can control a computer mouse by thinking.

During a Spaces event on X, Musk said, "Progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with no ill effects that we are aware of. The patient is able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking."

He added that Neuralink was now trying to get the patient to make as many mouse button clicks as possible.

After receiving approval for human trial recruitment in September, the startup successfully implanted a chip in its first human patient in January.

Neuralink said that a robot surgically placed a brain-computer interface implant in a region of the brain controling the intention to move.

It added that the initial goal is to enable people to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts.

Musk said that to treat conditions such as obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia, Neuralink can facilitate speedy surgical insertions of its chip devices.

Valued at some US$5 billion last year, Neuralink has faced repeated calls for scrutiny regarding its safety protocols and was fined by the U.S. Department of Transportation for violations related to the movement of hazardous materials.