Elon Musk’s Neuralink chip has allowed a monkey to play Pong with only his mind. The next will be humans.
What the latest version of the chip has given of itself
Neuralink scientists implanted chips of this brain-machine interface on both sides of the brain of the nine-year-old macaque named Pager. Later, he learned to play this simple Atari video game (Pong, released 1972) with a joystick. The device recorded information about the neurons that fired while he played, learning to predict the movements he would make . Once the Neuralink device learned enough, the joystick was removed and the monkey was able to continue playing solely with the interface implanted in its brain.
Previous research had shown how these brain-machine interfaces can be used to control drones, prosthetics and tablets, simply by recording and transmitting the user’s brain activity indicating their intentions. However, all these brain implants required to be connected to computer systems to provide the necessary bandwidth for the signals to be transmitted.
Without cables
In essence, these chips consist of sets of electrodes that record patterns of neural activity, which can then be decoded and converted into input commands for various devices. The concrete goal of Neuralink, and many researchers in the field, is to develop a completely wireless version, which would allow all kinds of benefits for humans.
As the narrator of the accompanying video explains, the Neuralink device was first implanted in Pager’s brain about six weeks before the recording was made . The device, consisting of 1,024 electrodes, monitors spikes in electrical impulses generated by neurons within Pager’s motor cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for planning and executing movements. More specifically, the Neuralink connected to the hand and arm regions of the animal’s motor cortex, allowing it to create a detailed picture of the activity patterns associated with joystick movement. The data was transmitted every 25 milliseconds via Bluetooth to the decoding software.
By decoding this neural activity using highly specialized algorithms, the device learned to predict the direction and speed of Pager’s future hand movements. By unplugging the joystick, Neuralink continued to track the monkey’s neural activity, wirelessly transmitting this data to a decoding system that produced corresponding movements on the screen . In the end, Pager was able to play Pong using only his mind and enjoying his banana smoothie through a metal straw. And watch out, he proved to be very good at this classic video game.
It is amazing to see what technology can do, and it is clear that Neuralink is advancing by leaps and bounds.
Applications
Ultimately , the implant is intended for use in humans . This device could allow all those who suffer from paralysis, a way to regain control of their limbs and this trial seems to be quite a victory to achieve this goal.
“Our first goal is to give paralyzed people back their digital freedom: to communicate more easily through text, to follow their curiosity on the web, to express their creativity through photography and art and, yes, to play video games. From that, we intend to use Link to help improve the lives of people with neurological disorders and disabilities in other ways. For example, for people with paralysis, Link could also be used to restore physical mobility. To achieve this , we would use Link to read signals in the brain and use them to stimulate nerves and muscles in the body, thus allowing the person to re-control their own limbs, “explains a head of Musk’s company in a statement.
Neuralink is not the only company or agency working on such technology. Some governments are asking certain companies to create real-life mind control technologies, for example. It will be interesting to see what all this is like.
