A Brief Update 100 Day Update After First Participant Receives Implant for Elon Musk’s, “Neuralink”, Clinical Trial

By Hunter Shaw

29-year-old, Noland Arbaugh, experienced an accident in 2016 resulting in full quadriplegia. With absolutely no feeling from his shoulders down, Noland relied on a mouth-held stylus paired with his tablet, requiring him to be sitting upright.  With that, he reports heavy discomfort, muscle fatigue, and pressure sores.  This also prevents his normal speech.  With hopes of improving his quality of life, Noland entered as a study participant for Neuralink’s clinical trial.

Within weeks of his surgery, Noland was browsing the internet and playing computer games with friends including chess.  He began live streaming and playing Mario Kart on his Nintendo Switch.  All activities can be accomplished sitting upright or laying down.  After over six years of relying on a care giver for nearly 100% of the time, Link finally allowed Noland to reconnect with his friends and family.  A care giver is no longer needed around the clock.

Noland’s contribution to the study consists of eight hours per weekday, before he takes advantage of it on weekends – which he reports up to 10 hours of recreational and personal application.   One week recently, he contributed to 35 hours of structured research sessions along with 34 hours of personal usage.

One technique Neuralink uses to measure the Link’s integrity is by measuring the speed of cursor control on computer.  Measured at bits-per-second (BPS), Noland broke the human and brain-computer-interface (BCI) world record of cursor control of 4.6 BPS.  Quickly following, he achieved 8.0 BPS. To put it in perspective, the average mouse user achieves 10 BPS. Some weeks after the surgery, a handful of threads which connect to the sensors (electrodes) disconnected, ultimately causing there to be fewer effective electrodes.  As a result, the BPS was reduced.  Neuralink addressed this obstacle by altering the algorithm of data reception, which ended up improving the BCI.

While improving the cursor control, engineers strive to eventually include text entry.  The overall achievement that dictates accomplishment, is providing the quadriplegic community like Noland with the resources that allow the same cursor control performance as that of the able-bodied.  This milestone will lay down the foundation for extending the Link’s functionality to the physical world of robotic limbs, wheelchairs, and other instruments that may improve the quality of life of individuals with quadriplegia.

If you are interested in learning about Neuralink, you can click this link below to be redirected to their website!

PRIME Study Progress Update — User Experience | Blog | Neuralink

References

Neuralink. “Prime Study Progress Update - User Experience.” Neuralink Blog, 9 May 2024, neuralink.com/blog/prime-study-progress-update-user-experience/.