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Paralyzed Man's 'Magical' Experience With Neuralink Chip
29 Jan
Summary
- Sebastian Gomez-Pena controls a laptop using only his thoughts via Neuralink.
- The Neuralink chip interprets nerve signals through 1,024 electrodes.
- The trial involves 21 participants worldwide with severe paralysis.
Sebastian Gomez-Pena, a medical student who was left paralyzed from the neck down, has described his experience with Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip as "magical." Following a five-hour operation at University College London Hospital, Gomez-Pena received the chip, which is now enabling him to control a laptop solely through his thoughts. The device utilizes 1,024 electrodes to capture nerve signals, which are then wirelessly transmitted to a computer for AI interpretation.
This technological advancement has profoundly impacted Gomez-Pena's life, offering a significant restoration of autonomy. "Now I can think of moving my hands to the right, to the left and the technology understands what I want it to do - and it does it," he stated. He is among seven participants in the UK trial, which is part of a larger global study involving 21 individuals with severe paralysis.
The PRIME study, as it is known, aims to help participants control digital devices using their thoughts, potentially restoring capabilities vital in today's digital world. Consultant neurosurgeon William Muirhead highlighted the immense potential of brain-computer interfaces to alleviate conditions like paralysis, emphasizing the restoration of personal agency through this technology.
