Second person to be fitted with Musk’s brain chip reveals what he can now do
A second person has received Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain chip and successfully used it to play the video game Counterstrike 2.
The patient, a quadriplegic man named only as Alex, said he was ‘super impressed’ with the implant, which gives him brain-powered control of an external computer.
He is now able to use 3D design software and managed to play the online shooter game Counterstrike 2 by using only his mind.
Musk’s company gave a progress update on Wednesday, saying Alex – who lost control of his limbs after a spinal cord injury – received the chip last month and has had a ‘smooth’ recovery.
The first person to receive the chip was Noland Arbaugh, who had his implant in January.
Although the surgery appeared to have gone successfully, 85% of the thread-based electrodes attached to his brain became displaced.
However, despite this he’s been able to use the chip effectively.
Alterations were made to the implant procedure for Alex’s operation, and his chip has so far not detached from his brain.
Before the surgery, Alex would use an assistive technology called a Quadstick which allowed him to input computer commands using his lips and breaths.
But since the Quadstick only has one joystick, Alex couldn’t move and look aroundat the same time when playing games.
This has all changed with the brain-chip.
‘Just running around is so enjoyable because I can look side to side, and not need to move Quadstick left and right… I can [think about where to] look and it goes where I want it to. It’s insane.’
The Nueralink brain chip contains 1,024 electrodes, no thicker than a human hair, which are implanted by a sewing machine-like robot into the patient’s brain tissue.
Those electrodes record the brain’s electrical activity which is then streamed to a computer which converts the signal into commands such as clicking or moving a mouse.
The device is powered by a battery that can be recharged wirelessly.
Musk believes millions of people could have their own chips implanted by 2034.
He wrote on X: ‘If all goes well, there will be hundreds of people with Neuralinks within a few years, maybe tens of thousands within 5 years, millions within 10 years.’
Alex, who used to be an automotive technician, won’t just be using the chip to play games, it’s hoped the technology can also help him regain his independence.
He has already been able to use it to operate 3D computer-assisted design (CAD) software.
Just by using his brain, Alex designed and 3D printed a custom mount for his Neuralink charger.
Alex says: ‘Taking an idea, putting it as a design, and actually having a physical item as a finished product makes me feel like I’m building things again.’
Neuralink says that it is now working with Alex to try and increase his productivity by mapping his brain’s commands to different types of mouse clicks, the MailOnline reports.
The first two Neuralink implants have formed part of the company’s PRIME study, which focuses on enabling people who cannot use their limbs to control computers.
The firm has opened a patient registry and is taking applications from people with quadriplegia to participate in the trial.
But Musk has previously hinted that he hopes to see the chip implanted in the brains of able-bodied people – including himself.
He claimed the device will one day let people ‘save’ memories, enable superhuman cognition and and even ‘solve’ autism.
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