If the first person implanted with the Neuralink microchip has already generated surprises and also controversy, now it is the turn of the second recipient of the implant. According to a statement from Elon Musk’s company, the patient has used the implant in combination with a specialized Quadstick game controller. to play the first-person shooter game Counter-Strke 2as well as design your own custom Neuralink charger stand in CAD software.
This implant also has remained completely attached to the patient’s brain, unlike the recipient of the first procedure. Last month, Alex, the second participant in our PRIME study, received his Neuralink implant. The surgery, performed at the Barrow Neurological Institute, went well: Alex was discharged the next day and has been recovering smoothly.
With the implant in place, he has been improving his ability to play video games and began learn to use computer aided design (CAD) software to design 3D objects. This marks another significant step towards providing a high-performance interface that will improve control of digital devices for people with quadriplegia to help them regain their autonomy.
The overall goal of the PRIME study is to demonstrate that the implant is safe and useful in everyday life. “From the first moment Alex connected his microchip to his computer – explains the press release – It took less than 5 minutes to start controlling a cursor with his mind. Within a few hours, he was able to surpass the maximum speed and accuracy he had achieved with any other assistive technology. Like Noland, our first participant, Alex broke the previous world record for brain-computer interface (BCI) cursor control with a non-Neuralink device on the first day of use. After the first research session concluded, Alex continued to test Link’s capabilities independently, using it to play the first-person shooter game Counter-Strike 2.
“I am already super impressed with how this works,” concludes Alex, a patient about whom very little is known.