Neuralink’s First Human Implant: From Success to Mechanical Failure and Back Again

Neuralink, a company led by Elon Musk, performed its first brain chip implant in 2024 on a patient named Noland Arbaugh. Noland became quadriplegic in 2016 and was the first human to receive the implant. The objective of the implant was to evaluate the safety of the device and surgical robot, as well as test its functionalities. However, Neuralink confirmed that the device implanted in Noland experienced mechanical problems during the initial months.

According to information published by Neuralink, everything worked normally during the initial months. However, Noland experienced connectivity failures due to some threads retracting from his brain, causing a decrease in the number of effective electrodes. This resulted in a decrease in the connection between his brain and chip. Neuralink quickly found a possible solution by modifying the algorithm that records electrical signals, leading to a significant improvement in performance for Noland.

Despite this solution being more of a temporary fix, Neuralink continues to search for a long-term measure that does not require intervention in an operating room. Experts note that animals have smaller brains than humans and cause differences in electrode movement when compared to humans. Prior to receiving the implant, Noland used a tablet stylus held in his mouth to interact with electronic devices, limiting his communication and multitasking abilities.

Neuralink is working on improving text input and cursor control on the device and plans to expand its use to physical devices like robotic arms and wheelchairs in the future. Despite facing challenges such as mechanical problems with the implant, Neuralink’s dedication to improving technology shows its potential to significantly impact users’ lives. The road ahead for Neuralink chips is long but demonstrates their commitment to innovation and progress towards making technology more accessible for everyone.