What happens to the first patient with Neuralink: is it true that he lost data?

This January 2024 Noland Arbaugh became the first patient to receive a brain chip from the company Neuralink from Elon Musk.

Arbaugh, who became a quadriplegic after an accident in 2016, was able to perform many tasks using only his mind. Until now, you could surf the Internet, use a computer, and play video games such as chess. Civilization VI And Mario Kart 8 on Nintendo Switch.

However, recent information indicates that patient zero would have lost data. The problem was with the threads of the implant, the company said in a new blog post. as these threads somehow exited the brain and caused some data loss. The company says it has changed the recording algorithm to make it more sensitive and has also made some other changes to increase data flow.

“Our ongoing work aims to bring cursor control performance to the same level as that of working-age people and expand functionality to include text input. In the future, we intend to extend Link’s functionality into the physical world to enable control of robotic arms, wheelchairs and other technologies that can help increase independence for people living with quadriplegia,” the company says.

What Noland Arbaugh says about his Neuralink implant

For several weeks after surgery, Noland used Link to control his laptop from different positions, including while lying in bed. Play online PC games with friends (Chess, Civilization VI), surf the Internet, live stream, and more on your MacBook by controlling the cursor with your mind. He even used Link to play Mario Kart on the Nintendo Switch console, something he couldn’t do after his spinal cord injury.

“You give me too much, it’s like too much luxury, I haven’t been able to do this for 8 years. and now I don’t even know where to start paying my attention,” says an emotional Arbaugh.

“The most important thing about comfort is that I can lie down in my bed and use [el Link]. Any other assistive technology required someone to help me or sit me down. Sitting causes me mental and physical stress, which can cause bed sores or cramps. It allows me to live on my own timewithout anyone having to rush me etc. throughout the day,” he adds.

“[The Link] helped me reconnect with the world, my friends and my family. This gave me the opportunity to return to do something on your own not needing your family at any time of the day or night,” Neuralink Patient Zero concludes.