Elon Musk’s brain implant startup Neuralink announced this week that “Alex,” the second person to receive the company’s brain-computer interface, is recovering healthily.
“With the Link, he has been improving his ability to play video games and began learning how to use computer-aided design software to design 3D objects,” the company wrote in a Wednesday blog post. “This marks another significant step toward providing a high-performance interface that will enhance the control of digital devices for people with quadriplegia to help restore their autonomy.”
According to Neuralink, Alex took quickly to the BCI, breaking the world record for brain-computer interface cursor control. The company said he played a round of the first-person shooter game “Counter-Strike 2” within hours of receiving the implant.
“I’m already super impressed with how this works,” Neuralink reported Alex saying.
Alex’s implant marks the second time Neuralink has successfully implanted its BCI into a patient. Earlier this year, Neuralink implanted it into Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic. According to the company, he controlled a computer cursor and played video games with the BCI.
However, soon after receiving the implant, several threads from the BCI retracted from Mr. Arbaugh’s brain, significantly reducing the device’s capabilities. While the issue has been rectified, the malfunction raised concerns about the safety of Neuralink’s technology.
Before receiving approval from the Food and Drug Administration for human testing, the company came under fire from former employees and regulators for shoddy research practices. Some of the ex-workers accused Neuralink of cutting corners during animal testing, leading to unnecessary deaths.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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