Can we really connect a computer directly to the human brain?
Paralyzed patients have already typed with their thoughts alone.
The answer
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) translate neural signals into digital commands. In 2021, BrainGate's clinical trial enabled a paralyzed man to type 90 characters per minute by simply imagining handwriting, with a neural implant reading signals from his motor cortex. Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, implanted its first human chip in 2024, allowing a quadriplegic patient to control a computer cursor with thought. Non-invasive BCIs using EEG can already control wheelchairs and video games, though with far lower resolution than implanted devices.
Source: BrainGate
- BCI
- neuroscience
- Neuralink
- disability
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