Neuralink Showcases First Human Patient Playing Chess and Video Games via Mind Control Eight Years After Paralysis

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　　Interface News Reporter |Zhao Yifan

On March 20 local time, Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface companyNeuralink inA live stream was launched on X, showcasing the latest updates on its first patient with a brain-computer interface implant using “telepathy.”"Telepathy" is the company's first brain-computer interface product.

Noland Arbaugh, a 29-year-old patient who has been paralyzed from the shoulders down since a diving accident eight years ago, introduced himself during a live broadcast and demonstrated his ability to play chess and video games on a computer using only his thoughts.

Arbaugh placed his hands on the armrests of his chair and then used his thoughts to control the cursor to move the chess pieces. While dragging the pieces during his live stream, he said, “If you can see the cursor moving on the screen, that’s me.”

Arbaugh’s severe paralysis significantly limited his mobility, making it impossible for him to maintain a seated position for extended periods, which forced him to give up his favorite game, Civilization VI.But now, after the implantation of the brain-computer interface chip, Arbaugh no longer needs his family’s help to adjust his sitting posture and can play games for eight consecutive hours.

　　Arbaugh also introduced his methods for learning to use the brain-computer interface,“I will attempt to move my right hand—left, right, forward, and backward—and then begin to imagine the cursor moving from there.”

　　In January this year, Musk announced that Arbaugh had become Neuralink’s first human trial participant and stated that his recovery was progressing well.This product is initially targeted at individuals who have lost limb function. Musk“To cite the late scientist Stephen Hawking as an example, ‘Imagine if Hawking’s communication speed could surpass that of a typist or an auctioneer; that is our goal.’”

　　Neuralink, a company founded by Elon Musk and dedicated to developing brain-computer interface technology, aims to createA Miniature Implantable Device,Achieve high-speed data transmission between the human brain and computers.

　　But in recent years, this company at the forefront of technologyAlways inControversyofChinaHeart: Discussions and skepticism surrounding its brain-computer interface technology have never ceased。

　　The primary concern is the ethical issue.22021,Neuralink released a video showing a monkey with its implanted device playing video games via “telepathy,” sparking significant attention and discussion. ThisThe incident triggered legal action by the animal rights organization PCRM, which accused it of abusing monkeys during the experiments.

　　Compared with animals, the safety risks faced by human subjects are more concerning.Despite Neuralink’s ambitious goals, many professionals still believe that implantable brain-computer interfaces are not the optimal choice for patients. Due to the soft nature of the human brain, invasive electrodes can easily cause irreversible damage, leading to inflammation or scarring.

　　Notably, Neuralink'sProgressandNot inIndustrythe cutting edge。regarded by Musk as a competitorSynchron Corp.,It received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021, and its first clinical trial was conducted one year later.

　　In recent years,ChinaChinaIn brain-computer interfacesResearch Investment in the Fieldalso continues to increase, andObtainCompletedA series ofNewTechnologyBreakthrough.

Recently, Professor Jia Wang’s team from the Department of Neurosurgery at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, in collaboration with Hong Bo from Tsinghua University(Jin Qilin Analyst)The professorial team successfully helped a patient with high-level paraplegia achieve mind-controlled cursor movement for the first time by utilizing minimally invasive brain-computer interface technology. In addition to Beijing Tiantan Hospital, other institutions such as Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University had previously announced breakthroughs in the field of brain-computer interfaces.

　　Currently, medical scenarios represent one of the largest application markets for brain-computer interfaces, a technology thatIt shows great potential in helping patients who have lost motor function due to disease or injury. However, due to the significant safety risks associated with invasive approaches, an industry insider told Interface News, “It will take at least another ten years for invasive technologies to achieve commercial implementation, whereas non-invasive products, such as sleep aids, have already identified suitable application scenarios.”

　　Yet Musk hopes to go further. Today, heAnnounced in a post on X that, following “Telepathy,” the next product from its brain-computer interface company Neuralink will be “Blindsight.”

　　He announced the above news in a post by a blogger. The blogger shared a video of Musk’s previous speech, in which he stated, “Even if someone has never had vision, as in being born blind, we would still believe that“Vision can be restored through Neuralink.”

　　It remains unclear how Neuralink will restore vision to the blind, but among a host of companies including NeuralinkDriven by the relentless efforts of cutting-edge technology companies, brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is gradually transitioning from science fiction to reality. However, to successfully translate these breakthrough developments into commercial applications, a series of complex challenges—including safety, ethical concerns, and market acceptance—remain inevitable.

Responsible Editor: Shi Xiuzhen SF183