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Elon Musk says first Neuralink implant patient 'able to move mouse just by thinking'

Elon Musk says first Neuralink implant patient 'able to move mouse just by thinking'

Musk hopes one day operating a phone or computer will be possible with the mind.

Only last month did Elon Musk announce that Neuralink implanted into its first human patient after receiving approval for human trials in September.

Musk recently shared on his rebranded platform X: ‘Progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with neural effects that we are aware of.

‘Patient is able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking.’

Musk explained that the procedure takes only 30 minutes and does not require general anaesthesia. Patients will also be able to return home on the same day.

Additionally, Musk confirmed that the company is now trying to gather as many mouse button clicks as possible from the Neuralink patient.

The first Neuralink patient can move a computer mouse by thinking / SOPA Images / Contributor / Getty
The first Neuralink patient can move a computer mouse by thinking / SOPA Images / Contributor / Getty

The tech billionaire said that the device - known as Telepathy - will be received by those with paralysis, with a long-term dream to make 'phone and computer control possible outside a lab setting.'

'Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or an auctioneer. That is the goal,' the SpaceX founded admitted.

Telepathy's transfer into human brains is part of Neuralink's PRIME study, which allegedly evaluates the safety of the implant and the surgical robot that does the procedure.

More broadly, Musk hopes to expand the conditions in which Neuralink treats in the future, allowing its brain chip devices to aid those with obesity, autism, depression and schizophrenia.

Startup Neuralink stated on its official website: 'This study involves placing a small, cosmetically invisible implant in a part of the brain that plans movements.

‘The device is designed to interpret a person’s neural activity, so they can operate a computer or smartphone by simply intending to move – no wires or physical movement are required.’

Neuralink was valued at $5 billion last year / Yuichiro Chino / Getty
Neuralink was valued at $5 billion last year / Yuichiro Chino / Getty

The brain chip company was valued at around $5 billion last year.

Honorary research associate at Cardiff University, Dr. Dean Burnett, expressed his concern for the human trials: 'The speed at which [Musk] has gone from having no involvement in neurosurgical implants to making massive global statements is disconcerting and alarming.

'The thing is he has this huge army of supporters that may volunteer for this kind of thing and I do think that's quite dangerous when it comes to sticking things in people's bodies.'

Burnett continued that the biggest risk would be seeing the scale-up of human trials after the success of this first one 'because not every procedure is going to be under the same spotlight.'

Featured Image Credit: SOPA Images / Contributor / Yuichiro Chino / Getty