American brain-computer interface company Neuralink has finally implanted its innovative brain chip into its second human patient, Founder Elon Musk revealed in a recent podcast.
For context, the implanted device enables paralyzed patients to utilize digital devices by thinking alone.
Second patient receives implanted brain chip
Neuralink Founder Elon Musk announced during a podcast episode with Lex Fridman on Friday that the neurotechnology startup has successfully implanted a second trial human patient with its brain chip.
The podcast lasted approximately 8.5 hours, with Fridman noting that it was the longest episode he had ever done. He went on to describe the conversation as “fascinating, super technical, and wide-ranging.”
Intriguingly, Musk implied that the second implant was successful so far. He revealed that 400 of the 1,024 electrodes on the Neuralink implant are functioning so far in the second patient’s brain.
“I don’t want to jinx it, but it seems to have gone extremely well with the second implant. So there’s a lot of signal, a lot of electrodes. It’s working very well.”
Neuralink Founder Elon Musk
The second patient also suffers from a spinal cord injury like the first patient who received the brain chip. The injury reportedly stemmed from a diving accident.
First patient’s experience so far
Neuralink’s first patient, Noland Arbaugh, was also present on the podcast on Friday.
For context, Arbaugh received his brain chip implant in January 2024. Before the surgery, he relied on a tablet stylus to control digital devices. His caregiver would place the stylus into his mouth, requiring him to sit upright. However, this practice apparently caused discomfort, pressure sores, and muscle fatigue. It also reportedly adversely affected Arbaugh’s speech.
Now, Arbaugh shared that he can already control the computer by mere thoughts. Specifically, he can now play video games, browse the internet, use social media platforms, and control a cursor on his laptop.
Arbaugh has reached a new world record for the speed at which he can control a cursor with his thoughts alone,” with only roughly 10, 15% of the electrodes working.”
With this significant advancement, he acknowledged that the implant had given him more freedom and lessened his dependence on caregivers.
Neuralink’s PRIME Study
The brain chip implant is part of Neuralink’s ongoing Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface (PRIME) Study.
It conducts clinical trials with the implant technology on human patients suffering from quadriplegia due to either spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALC).
The study aims to enable patients to control an external device like a computer mouse by mere thoughts.
Musk omitted to share when Neuralink conducted the second patient’s brain implant. Nonetheless, he disclosed that he expects the company to complete brain chip implants for eight more human patients in 2024 alone as part of its ongoing clinical trials. Last month, the American billionaire also declared plans to include more than 1,000 human patients in the PRIME Study by 2026.
You can watch the full podcast episode with Elon Musk, Neuralink executives, and Noland Arbaugh below:
