Neuralink brain-computer interface
Elon Musk-owned Neuralink’s efforts to revolutionize brain-computer interface (BCI) technology for individuals with quadriplegia reached a new milestone with their second participant, Alex.
Last month, Alex successfully received Neuralink’s implant, known as the Link. Since the surgery, Alex has shown promising progress in controlling digital devices, offering new hope for restoring autonomy to those with spinal cord injuries.
Alex underwent surgery at Barrow Neurological Institute to receive the Link, and his recovery has been smooth, according to Neuralink.
“Alex was discharged the following day, and his recovery has been smooth,” the company stated.
Upon connecting the Link to his computer, Alex quickly demonstrated the implant’s potential.
“From the first moment Alex connected his Link to his computer, it took less than 5 minutes for him to start controlling a cursor with his mind.”
On the first day of using the Link, Alex surpassed his previous achievements with other assistive technologies and set a new world record for brain-computer interface (BCI) cursor control.
Neuralink emphasized that Alex’s success mirrored that of their first participant, Noland, who similarly broke the world record for BCI performance.
In addition to controlling a cursor, Alex has also been able to enhance his gaming experience.
Before receiving the Link, Alex used a mouth-operated joystick called the Quadstick to play first-person shooter games, but it had limitations.
Now, Neuralink reports, “Alex is able to use the Link in combination with his Quadstick to move and aim simultaneously, unlocking a more intuitive gameplay experience.”
The Link’s capabilities extend beyond gaming, offering new possibilities for creativity.
Alex, a former automotive technician, has begun working with computer-aided design (CAD) software to design 3D objects.
On the second day of using the Link, Alex successfully designed a custom mount for his Neuralink charger using Fusion 360, which was later 3D printed and integrated into his setup.
Neuralink shared that they are actively working with Alex to enhance his productivity with the Link.
“We are working with Alex to increase his productivity with the Link by mapping intended movements to different types of mouse clicks, expanding the number of controls he has,” the company stated.
This innovation allows Alex to seamlessly switch between modes in CAD software, further enabling his creativity.
Neuralink expressed optimism about the future potential of the device: “We hope that in time, the Link helps many people create in their areas of interest and expertise, and we’re excited to work with more people to help them reconnect with their passions.”
Neuralink has also addressed technical challenges. Their first participant, Noland, experienced thread retraction that temporarily reduced his BCI performance.
To mitigate this issue with Alex, Neuralink took precautionary measures.
“To reduce the probability of thread retraction in our second participant, we implemented a number of mitigations, including reducing brain motion during the surgery and reducing the gap between the implant and the surface of the brain.”
These measures appear to have been successful, as Neuralink confirmed, “We have observed no thread retraction in our second participant.”
The company is also expanding the Link’s functionality. Neuralink revealed, “We are working on decoding multiple clicks and multiple simultaneous movement intents to deliver full mouse and video game controller functionality.”
Additionally, the company is developing algorithms to recognize handwriting intent, which could allow for faster text entry for users unable to type.
Beyond digital devices, Neuralink is looking to expand the Link’s utility to the physical world.
The company shared plans to enable the Link to control robotic arms or wheelchairs, which could allow users to perform everyday tasks independently, such as feeding themselves.
Neuralink’s work with Alex represents a significant step forward in the PRIME Study’s goal of creating a high-performance interface for people with quadriplegia.
As Neuralink puts it, “We’re excited to work with more people to help them reconnect with their passions.”
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