The first human patient implanted with a brain-chip from Neuralink appears to have fully recovered and is able to control a computer mouse using their thoughts, stated Elon Musk late on Monday.

“Progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with no ill effects that we are aware of. Patient is able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking,” Musk said in a Spaces event on social media platform X, reports Reuters.

Neuralink’s brain-computer interface (BCI) device received FDA IND clearance in May 2023. In CNS treatment, BCI has the potential to address spinal cord injuries by facilitating communication between brain signals and devices such as prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs and perhaps recover some degree of motor function itself. The company states that in the future, they hope to restore capabilities such as vision, motor function, and speech, and eventually expand how we experience the world.

Musk said Neuralink was now trying to get as many mouse button clicks as possible from the patient but did not immediately reply to Reuters’ request for further details.

A brain-computer interface implant in a region of the brain that controls the intention to move

Neuralink’s study uses a robot to surgically place a brain-computer interface implant in a region of the brain that controls the intention to move, adding that the initial goal is to enable people to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts.

Neuralink has faced repeated calls for scrutiny regarding its safety protocols.”

But Neuralink has faced repeated calls for scrutiny regarding its safety protocols. The firm was for example fined for violating U.S. Department of Transportation rules regarding the movement of hazardous materials, reports Reuters.

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