Neuralink brain implant encounters problem

Elon Musk and his companies have created wondrous innovations like Starlink internet and the Cybertruck. However, his most unique invention is the Neuralink brain implant. 

He says it will enable paraplegics and other disabled persons to regain bodily functions via controlling devices with their minds. 

READ: Neuralink brain chips raise ethical concerns

Of course, such a technology is unprecedented, so we should expect problems. The brain tech company recently announced such an issue.

What was the Neuralink brain implant’s issue?

The Neuralink brain implant links to the brain with microscopic threads. Consequently, the chip can receive and interpret electrical signals from a patient’s mind. 

The company calls this system the Link. It records neural signals 1,024 electrodes across 64 “threads” thinner than a human hair.

Its first recipient is 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh. However, a recent blog from the official Neuralink page says his implant encountered a problem. 

“A number of threads retracted from the brain, resulting in a net decrease in the number of effective electrodes. This led to a reduction in BPS,” it said.

The acronym stands for bits-per-second, which measures the speed and accuracy of the Neuralink brain implant’s cursor control.

In other words, the brain chip’s performance dropped. In response, the company “modified the recording algorithm to be more sensitive to neural population signals.” 

As a result, the chip’s performance improved significantly, exceeding its initial performance. CNBC reported the company considered removing the implant. 

However, Neuralink said the problem doesn’t have a direct risk to Arbaugh’s safety. Also, it said the patient continues using its Brain Computer Interface (BCI) for eight hours daily.

Arbaugh stated the Link is like a “luxury overload” that helped him “reconnect with the world.” 

“I think it should give a lot of people a lot of hope for what this thing can do for them – first and foremost their gaming experience. But then, that’ll translate into so much more and I think that’s awesome.”