Noland Arbaugh, a 30-year-old from Arizona, was paralyzed from the shoulders down after a diving accident in 2016. In January 2024, he became the first person to receive a Neuralink brain chip. This chip allows him to control a computer using only his thoughts.
What Is Neuralink’s Brain Chip?
The brain chip from Neuralink is a device called a brain-computer interface (BCI). It reads tiny electrical signals from the brain when a person thinks about moving and turns them into actions, like moving a mouse cursor on a screen.
How Did It Change Noland’s Life?
After the surgery, Noland was amazed to see he could control a computer cursor just by thinking. Over time, he learned to play chess and video games using his mind. This is especially exciting for him because he had to stop gaming after his accident. Now, he is even winning games against his friends.
What Challenges Did Noland Face?
There was a moment when the chip partially disconnected from Noland’s brain, causing him to lose control of his computer. It was a scary experience, but Neuralink’s engineers fixed the issue by updating the software.
Why Is Privacy a Concern?
Some scientists warn that brain chips could become a privacy risk. If technology can read your brain signals, it could reveal not only what you do but also what you think and feel. Professor Anil Seth from the University of Sussex says this could leave people with no privacy at all.
What Does Noland Hope for the Future?
Noland dreams of doing more with his brain chip. He hopes to one day control his wheelchair or even operate a humanoid robot using just his thoughts. He believes this technology is only beginning to show what it can do.
Are Other Companies Working on Similar Brain Chips?
Yes, other companies are also working on brain chip technology. Synchron is another company developing a device called Stentrode. This device is placed into the brain through a vein in the neck instead of open surgery. One user of the Stentrode chip even uses it with Apple’s Vision Pro headset to explore virtual worlds.
What’s Next for Noland?
Noland’s chip is part of a six-year study. After that, the future is uncertain. But he is excited about what his experience could teach scientists. He believes the world is just beginning to understand the power of the human brain and how technology can help.