1st Patient Reveals NEURALINK’s True Potential

1st Patient Reveals NEURALINK’s True Potential

Introduction

Leading up to the surgery, they were trying to describe how all the technology works and my first thoughts were, well if you can just map any of these intentions to different actions then what would stop me from using my left and right hands, left foot, right foot, shoulder shrugs, and everything to do ten different things on the computer at once. They said, well that's the goal basically. I should explain what Neuralink is, how it works, and what it allows you to do.

What is Neuralink?

Neuralink is essentially a chip with 64 threads and 32 electrodes on each thread implanted into the motor cortex. This technology reads neuron signals, which translate to movement. Anytime you move, your neurons fire in your cortex, sending a signal down the spinal cord. My signal doesn’t get all the way down because my spinal cord is severed, but it's still firing. These signals are picked up by the electrodes, processed through an app developed by Neuralink, and machine learning is used to translate my intentions into actions on a computer.

Early Days of the Technology

It’s still early days - today marks five months since my surgery - and I am the first person to use this technology. Initially, it allowed me to control a computer cursor, and I can now control it as well as anyone else. This trial runs for one year, after which I can choose to stay in the study for up to an additional five years.

Potential of Neuralink

One of the most exciting aspects of Neuralink is its ability to map intentions to different actions. For instance, you could control multiple tasks simultaneously using different parts of your body. This kind of technology isn't just limited to computers; it could potentially be connected to other devices, such as Tesla’s Optimus robot, allowing control through thought alone.

Neuralink is also customized according to the signals it receives from different body parts. For instance, my right index finger gives a weaker signal than my right pinky, so I use my right pinky for specific actions like left-clicking on a computer. The machine learning component adapts to these variances over time, enabling smoother and more efficient interactions.

Machine Learning and Daily Mapping

Initially, daily calibrations were necessary, taking up to 45 minutes to get a robust model for meaningful interaction. Over time, the algorithm has improved, requiring fewer recalibrations. Currently, I haven’t needed a recalibration in weeks, and I’m using the same model built initially. This adaptability is crucial for the technology's practical use in daily life.

The threads and electrodes inside my brain initially faced stability issues, but now they are stable. The main challenge was enhancing the software side to make the system more robust and efficient. As the technology progresses, the goal is for Neuralink to remap itself automatically without daily calibrations.

Conclusion

Every day’s remapping has a lot in common with training an AI model, like the ones used in voice synthesis software where more data improves the model’s accuracy. The potential applications for Neuralink are vast and promise a revolutionary approach to human-machine interaction. Despite being new to this, I’m eager to learn and advocate for its development.

Keywords

• Neuralink
• Motor Cortex
• Neurons
• Machine Learning
• Cursor Control
• Electrodes
• Daily Calibration
• Optimus Robot
• AI Model
• Human-Machine Interaction

FAQ

Q: What is Neuralink? A: Neuralink is a chip with threads and electrodes implanted into the motor cortex to read neuron signals, translating intentions into actions using an app and machine learning.

Q: How long is the trial for? A: The main trial duration is one year, with an option to extend it up to an additional five years, making it a six-year study in total.

Q: How does Neuralink handle different body signals? A: Neuralink customizes actions based on the signal strength from different body parts. For example, weaker signals from one finger might be compensated by using a stronger signal from another.

Q: Is daily recalibration necessary? A: Initially, daily recalibrations were necessary, but as the algorithm has improved, the frequency of needed recalibrations has decreased significantly.

Q: What potential does Neuralink have beyond computer control? A: Neuralink could potentially connect to other devices, such as robots, allowing control through thought, thereby vastly expanding its practical applications.

Q: Are the electrodes stable now? A: Yes, the electrodes are stable now, although they initially faced stability issues post-surgery.