Neuralink’s second paralyzed patient plays Counter-Strike 2 with thoughts

According to Neuralink, this advanced technology holds the promise of allowing individuals with severe physical disabilities, such as quadriplegia, to regain a degree of autonomy by operating computer-controlled devices with their thoughts. 

Since receiving the implant, Alex has been able to use it to remotely control a mouse on his laptop, opening new possibilities for interaction with digital environments.

Enhanced gaming capabilities with brain implant

Alex’s newfound ability to play Counter-Strike 2 with the Neuralink implant marks a significant improvement over his previous setup. Before the brain chip, Alex relied on a mouth-operated controller called a QuadStick, which limited his gameplay to either moving or aiming his weapon at one time—never both simultaneously. 

This restriction meant he had to alternate between controlling his character and aiming his weapon, hindering his overall gaming experience. With the Neuralink implant, however, Alex can now aim and move simultaneously.

“Just running around is so enjoyable because I can look side to side, and not need to move QuadStick left and right,” Alex shared in a blog post by Neuralink. “I can [think about where to] look and it goes where I want it to. It’s insane.” 

The blog post includes a video showcasing Alex’s gameplay, where he demonstrates his ability to easily navigate and engage with the game environment, highlighting the significant enhancement in his gaming experience.

In addition to gaming, Alex has been exploring other applications of the implant. He has used it to develop 3D designs in CAD software, including creating a custom mount for the electric charger of his Neuralink implant, which was then 3D-printed. This shows that the brain chip could help with a variety of digital and creative tasks, not just gaming.

Overcoming challenges and future plans

Neuralink has addressed a significant challenge encountered with its first patient, Noland Arbaugh. After a successful surgery, about 85% of the thread-based electrodes attached to Arbaugh’s brain became displaced, which limited the chip’s ability to effectively read neural signals. 

To avoid a recurrence with Alex, Neuralink implemented several improvements. These included minimizing the risk of air pockets during surgery and placing the implant deeper into the brain tissue.

“Promisingly, we have observed no thread retraction in our second participant,” the company stated regarding Alex’s case. This development suggests that the mitigations have been successful, potentially improving the overall functionality of the brain chip.

Meanwhile, Neuralink aims to enhance the technology further. The company is working on ways to improve the controls to offer complete mouse and video game controller functionality.

Additionally, Neuralink plans to enable the brain chip to interact with the physical world. This could potentially allow users to control robotic arms or wheelchairs. The goal is to help users perform everyday tasks more independently.

Elon Musk’s ambitions for Neuralink extend beyond current capabilities. While Musk’s comments about implanting the chip in able-bodied individuals have sparked considerable interest, he has also expressed hopes that Neuralink will address a range of challenges. These include autism, memory preservation, and superhuman cognition. 

Musk has even mentioned that he would be willing to have the chip implanted in his own brain, reflecting his commitment to pushing the boundaries of this groundbreaking technology.