Neuralink, a brain-computer interface company founded by Elon Musk, celebrated a significant milestone on Thursday, announcing that it has achieved 100 successful days with the first human implanted with a brain chip.
Noland Arbaugh, the inaugural participant of the 'PRIME' study, underwent the Neuralink implant procedure over 100 days ago at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, in the US.
"Successful 100 days with the first human implant of Neuralink," Musk shared on a popular social media platform.
In a separate blog post, Neuralink outlined the objectives of the 'PRIME' study, which aims to demonstrate the safety and practicality of the brain chip in everyday life.
"We will monitor its technical performance remotely and quantify any benefit it provides by timing the duration of independent use and assessing how it affects study participants’ quality of life," the company stated.
Before receiving the brain chip, Arbaugh relied on a mouth-held tablet stylus (mouth stick) for digital interaction, a method that posed challenges including discomfort, muscle fatigue, and speech impediments.
Post-surgery, Arbaugh was able to use the Neuralink implant to operate his laptop from various positions, even while lying down in bed.
"He plays online computer games with friends (Chess, Civilisation VI), browses the internet, streams live streams, and uses other applications on his MacBook, all by controlling a cursor with his mind," Neuralink reported.
Arbaugh demonstrated the versatility of the brain chip by playing Mario Kart on a Nintendo Switch console.
"It has helped me reconnect with the world, my friends, and my family. It’s given me the ability to do things on my own again without needing my family at all hours of the day and night," Arbaugh expressed.
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