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Neuralink implant in quadriplegic patient allows cursor to be moved using only thought. Unprecedented test reveals promising advance in neurotechnology, despite technical challenges.
In one of the greatest promises of modern neurotechnology, Neuralink, a company founded by Elon Musk, announced that a quadriplegic patient was able to control a computer with just his thoughts, thanks to a brain chip implanted directly into his brain. The experiment was officially announced in March 2025 and represents the first successful public demonstration of the project that began in 2016.
According to O Antagonista and confirmed by the British newspaper The Guardian, the patient's name is Noland Arbaugh, he is 30 years old and became quadriplegic after a diving accident in 2016. He was the first human volunteer to receive the N1 chip, from Neuralink, during a procedure performed in January of this year. Since then, he has used technology to play chess, surf the internet and even play video games.
How does the Neuralink brain chip work?
The N1 chip is a wireless implant with around 1.000 ultra-thin electrodes capable of reading and interpreting neural signals emitted by the brain's movement intentions. These signals are then converted into commands to move a computer cursor. According to Neuralink itself, the initial goal is to allow people with severe paralysis to interact with the digital environment without relying on physical peripherals.
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During a live broadcast made by the patient himself, Noland demonstrated in real time total control of the cursor using only his mind. In his speech, he highlighted: “Before, I needed help for everything. Now, I can do several things on my own for the first time in years”, he reported emotionally.
Technical complications and system adjustment
Despite its success, the project was not without its problems. As reported by Reuters, there was one instance where some of the wires in the chip shifted slightly due to the brain's natural movement, reducing the effectiveness of the neural reading. The glitch was fixed with updates to Neuralink's decoding software, and the patient was able to operate the system normally again.
This kind of setback raises concerns about the viability and durability of neural implants, especially in biological environments as sensitive as the human brain.
Next steps: robotic arms and physical device control
In addition to the computer cursor, Neuralink is now working on a new phase of clinical trials that aims to connect the chip to robotic prosthetics, allowing patients to move mechanical arms with their minds. The long-term goal, according to Elon Musk, is to offer full autonomy to people with severe motor disabilities.
In November 2024, the company received FDA approval to start a study feasibility studies involving brain-machine interfaces with a focus on physical devices. The expectation is that new volunteers with different degrees of spinal cord injury will participate in the next tests, as reported by Business Insider.
