Elon Musk-owned neurotechnology company Neuralink, which is working on implantable brain-computer interfaces, has been in the spotlight for a while, especially with how it could change the world of gaming and possibly replace controllers. Although that’s a long shot, the product has been allowing some specially abled people to play video games.
The company has recently started its human trials, and the results of the trials have been fascinating, as the first patient claimed to be able to play games for hours, proving that the brain implant could be the most advanced and unique gaming controller ever seen.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink Recipient Used to Play Civilization 6
The company revealed via a livestream on X/Twitter that the first recipient was a 29-year-old complete quadriplegic man named Noland Arbaugh, who suffered paralysis from the shoulders down after a driving accident eight years ago in 2016.
— Neuralink (@neuralink) March 20, 2024
The livestream showed Arbaugh playing chess on his computer. Arbaugh said that he took the implant feeling that the tech could “change the world.”
He further said that when he got complete control of the implant, he pulled an all-nighter playing Civilization 6. Here’s what Arbaugh said:
One of the first times y’all gave me complete control over this, I actually stayed up until, like, jeez, I don’t know, like 6am playing Civilization 6. It was worth it, I think is the best way to put it, it was awesome. I basically had given up on playing that game.
Arbaugh said that he was not able to play the game for this long before the surgery as it required “complete help” from someone, which was not possible for hours.
Neuralink has enabled Arbaugh to be able to play games again, and soon he might be able to do more as there is an app in development that will record what the implant transmits and interpret the intended movement.
Albaugh Has Played Mario Kart Using the Brain Implant
Elon Musk first announced in January that the first human had received a brain implant, and the trial has begun, adding that the patient was “recovering well.” He then revealed in February that the patient has made a full recovery and a “promising neuron spike” has been detected, allowing the recipient to use the implant to use a computer.
Neuralink was kind enough to open their doors for me to tour their headquarters a few weeks back. It was an amazing experience and a day I'll never forget. This was at a company wide meeting at the end of the day. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. Hope y'all enjoy!… pic.twitter.com/YNa2Jtjhnk
— Noland Arbaugh (@ModdedQuad) March 22, 2024
In another Neuralink presentation, Noland Albaugh revealed that the implant allowed him to play Mario Kart 8 with the use of the neural signals decoded by the BCI technology. He added that he was able to play the game and came in second, saying that it repeatedly blew his mind.
He further mentioned that he didn’t think it would be possible for him to do so, and that too just after a week, but it was “freaking wild” despite his dad and friend trying to beat him. He also said that this is not the end, and there is still a long way to go with this, but the implant has “changed his life.”
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