(NewsNation) — The first human patient to receive a Neuralink brain chip implant can control a computer mouse with their thoughts, according to Elon Musk, the tech startup’s founder.
“Progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with no ill effects that we are aware of. Patient is able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking,” Reuters reported that Musk said Monday in a Spaces event on social media platform X.
Musk added that Neuralink was trying to get as many mouse button clicks as possible from the patient.
The first Neuralink tech to be tested on humans is called “telepathy,” which according to Musk aims to allow people to control their phone or their computer with only their thoughts.
The company successfully implanted a chip on its first human patient last month after receiving approval for human trial recruitment in September.
The study uses a robot to surgically place a brain-computer interface implant in a region of the brain that controls the intention to move, Neuralink has said, adding that the initial goal is to enable people to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts.
Last May, the Food and Drug Administration gave Neuralink approval to start human trials of its implant. The FDA initially rejected Neuralink’s request last March to start human trials, Reuters reported, over concerns that included the chips possibly overheating.
Musk has grand ambitions for Neuralink, saying it would facilitate speedy surgical insertions of its chip devices to treat conditions like obesity, autism, depression and schizophrenia.
Neuralink, which was valued at about $5 billion last year, has faced repeated calls for scrutiny regarding its safety protocols. Reuters reported last month the firm was fined for violating U.S. Department of Transportation rules regarding the movement of hazardous materials.
Reuters contributed to this story.
