Get All Access for $5/mo

Elon Musk Says Neuralink's First Patient Can Move a Computer Mouse 'By Just Thinking' The neurotech firm founder made the claims in an X Spaces on Monday.

By Jyoti Mann

Key Takeaways

  • Elon Musk claims Neuralink's first human patient can move a computer mouse by thinking.
  • The neurotech firm implanted its device into the first human patient in January.
  • Neuralink's brain-chip implant, Telepathy, was approved for human trials by the FDA last May.
NurPhoto via Business Insider
Neuralink implanted its chip in a human for the first time last month.

This article originally appeared on Business Insider.

Elon Musk said Neuralink's first human patient to receive a brain-chip implant can now move a computer mouse cursor using their mind alone.

The billionaire said the patient had fully recovered after receiving the implant last month. The neurotech firm founder made the claims in an X Spaces on Monday.

Musk said: "Progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with neural effects that we are aware of. Patient is able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking."

Neuralink is also trying to give recipients the ability to move a mouse in various directions and hold a button down, Musk said. "We're trying to get as many button presses as possible from thinking, so that's what we're currently working on."

The Neuralink implant, called Telepathy, enables recipients to control their phone or computer "just by thinking", Musk said in January. The first patients and users of the device will be people "who have lost the use of their limbs."

The company has previously said its implants could allow people to complete tasks using their thoughts and help treat certain medical conditions.

Neuralink gained approval from the Food and Drug Administration last May 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 chip possibly overheating.

Last November, Musk revealed that Neuralink is building a "vision chip" that will be ready "in a few years."

"In the future, we hope to restore capabilities such as vision, motor function, and speech, and eventually expand how we experience the world," Neuralink states on its website.

The company has not yet received regulatory approval for human trials of the vision chip.

Neuralink didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Leadership

Visionaries or Vague Promises? Why Companies Fail Without Leaders Who See Beyond the Bottom Line

Visionary leaders turn bold ideas into lasting impact by building resilience, clarity and future-ready teams.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Science & Technology

Why Businesses Are Relying on Automation to Survive the Labor Crisis

Robots are revolutionizing industries by addressing labor shortages and enhancing efficiency, while businesses navigate challenges like workforce adaptation and high implementation costs.

Productivity

6 Habits That Help Successful People Maximize Their Time

There aren't enough hours in the day, but these tips will make them feel slightly more productive.

Green Entrepreneur®

How Global Business Leaders Can Build a Sustainable Supply Chain

Businesses can build sustainable supply chains by leveraging technology to reduce environmental impact, optimize resources and track emissions while balancing operational efficiency and sustainability goals.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.