Neuralink implant recipient shares progress, future plans
Neuralink is designed to help paralysed individuals, allowing control of computers through thought
Noland Arbaugh, the first recipient of a Neuralink brain implant, has provided an update on his experiences with the pioneering technology. Seven months following his surgery, Arbaugh—who has affectionately named his implant "Eve"—shared insights into his journey and ongoing efforts in a recent post on X.
In 2016, Arbaugh, then a student and athlete at Texas, experienced a life-changing accident that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. At the time, he was working as a summer camp counselor. Since the accident, Arbaugh has been adjusting to life with full paralysis below his shoulders.
Neuralink, a company focused on developing brain-computer interface technology, received approval last year from US regulators to begin human trials of their brain implants. The primary device used in these trials is called the "Link," which is approximately the size of five stacked coins and implanted into the brain through a surgical procedure.
At Neuralink's facilities, Arbaugh engages in various projects using his implant for about four hours each day. He works on tasks involving body motions to control computer functions such as typing and clicking. Additionally, he practices handwriting by imagining holding a pencil to input characters on a screen. Arbaugh's efforts are aimed at reaching new milestones and improving the overall functionality and user experience of the technology.
In his personal time, Arbaugh leverages his Neuralink implant for academic and creative pursuits. He spends approximately three hours daily learning French and Japanese through various online platforms. He is also refreshing his knowledge of basic math concepts via Peterson Academy in preparation for a potential return to formal education. Arbaugh is an avid reader, exploring works by authors including Victor Hugo, J.R.R. Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, and Stieg Larsson, and has resumed creative writing with hopes of future publication.
Moreover, Arbaugh uses his implant for Bible study and personal devotion. He is contemplating a return to school with a focus on neuroscience, and aspires to establish a charity, secure employment, and build a home for his parents in the future.
Neuralink's mission is to enhance human capabilities and provide solutions for neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and ALS. The company's vision is to enable seamless interaction between humans and artificial intelligence, allowing control of computers and other devices through thought alone.
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Pakistan reports two more polio cases; Total tally now 52
ISLAMABAD: At least two more cases of poliovirus were reported in Pakistan, taking the number of infections to 52 so far this year, a report said on Friday.
“The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the detection of two more wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases in Pakistan," an official statement said.
The fresh infections — a boy and a girl — were reported from the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
“Genetic sequencing of the samples collected from the children is underway," the statement read. Dera Ismail Khan, one of the seven polio-endemic districts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has reported five polio cases so far this year.
Of the 52 cases in the country this year, 24 are from Balochistan, 13 from Sindh, 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
There is no cure for polio. Only multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five can keep them protected.
