Elon Musk has revealed that Neuralink’s brain chip has been successfully implanted in a second patient as part of the company’s early human trials. The news was shared on a podcast with host Lex Fridman, although the company has not disclosed the identity of the recipient or the timing of the surgery.
According to Musk, the implant has been functioning well, with 400 out of 1,024 electrodes showing activity. “It seems to have gone extremely well,” he said, adding that the device is “working very well” and producing a strong signal.
The Neuralink device is designed to enable patients with spinal cord injuries to control electronic devices and interact with the digital world using only their thoughts. The company announced in May that it was accepting applications for the second participant in its trials, following approval from the FDA.
The first patient to receive the implant, Nolan Arbaugh, has spoken publicly about his experience, describing the surgery as “super easy.” In a demo, Arbaugh demonstrated his ability to control a laptop screen, pause music, and play complex video games like chess and Civilization VI using only his thoughts.
Arbaugh, who joined Musk and Fridman on the podcast, said that the device has greatly improved his quality of life, allowing him to perform tasks independently and reducing his reliance on caregivers. However, he did experience some issues with the implant shortly after surgery, including electrode retraction, which was later addressed through algorithm modifications and a second procedure.
Neuralink has faced scrutiny over its testing practices, including allegations of mistreating animals during testing. However, the company has reported a strong response from potential volunteers, with over 1,000 people signing up for its second surgical trial. Musk expects to implant the chip in up to eight more patients by the end of 2024.
