Photo: rafapress / Shutterstock.com
Neuralink, a neurotechnology firm co-established by Elon Musk, has successfully placed its brain-computer interface in a second individual. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the company’s proposal for the second transplant in May 2024, and the company began preparations by refining the process in July.
As per Reuters, Elon Musk revealed this latest achievement during an extensive podcast discussion with Lex Fridman. While details about the second patient remain sparse, Musk confirmed that this individual has a spinal cord injury similar to the first patient, who sustained paralysis from a driving accident.
The device, which Neuralink claims includes 1,024 electrodes, has already demonstrated its capability in the first patient, enabling him to play video games, browse the Internet, and interact with digital interfaces.
Musk expressed cautious optimism about the second implant, noting that 400 of the implant’s electrodes are currently operational.
The podcast also featured an interview with Norland Arbaugh, the first recipient of the Neuralink implant. Arbaugh, who previously used a mouth stick to interact with devices, described the implant’s transformative impact, which now allows him to control his computer through thought alone.
This advancement has markedly increased his independence and reduced his reliance on caregivers.
However, the journey was challenging. Arbaugh initially experienced a setback when the implant’s fine wires retracted, decreasing the number of electrodes effectively measuring brain signals. Neuralink had previously identified similar issues during animal trials yet continued with the human trials, raising questions about business ethics.
The FDA was also aware of the wire retraction issue and permitted human trials nonetheless.
To address this, the company adjusted its algorithms to enhance sensitivity, enabling Arbaugh to improve his cursor control speed despite the electrodes’ partial functionality.
Neuralink has not been without controversy. In response to the news reports of primate deaths due to the implant, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a medical ethics group, sent letters to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requesting them to investigate Musk’s claim that the deaths occurred because the primates were ill and not due to implants.
In the News: Apple pays out $50 million settlement for faulty butterfly keyboards
