Mind Control is Here Brain Implants to Restore Lost Abilities

Click, Speak, Move: Brain Implants Poised to Transform Lives of People with Disabilities

For individuals who have tragically lost the ability to move or speak, a new dawn is on the horizon. Surgically implanted devices, acting as a bridge between the brain and computers, are poised to offer a transformative solution.

More than two decades after initial research showcased the power of thought to control a computer cursor, numerous companies are on the cusp of transitioning brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) from a fascinating experiment to a viable commercial reality.

"We know it works, we know the enabling technologies are now ready," states Michael Mager, CEO of Precision Neuroscience. "It's time to turn this academic work into a thriving industry that can make a big impact on people's lives."

Experimental BCIs have already been implanted in a select group of individuals, and the latest advancements involve devices that can be placed under the skin and wirelessly communicate with smartphones or tablets.

While Elon Musk's Neuralink has garnered significant attention, the first commercially available BCI might emerge from competitors like Precision, Blackrock Neurotech, Paradromics, or Synchron.

These companies offer a blend of experience and innovative technology. Blackrock, for example, boasts considerable experience in the field, while others utilize less invasive approaches that could streamline the FDA approval process.

Who Will Benefit First?

The initial beneficiaries of BCI technology are likely to be individuals living with paralysis resulting from spinal injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Early products will likely focus on enabling users to control computer cursors or generate artificial speech.

Neuralink's Bold Vision: 'Telepathy'

Implanted BCIs function by detecting and interpreting signals from the brain regions responsible for movement and speech. These signals reveal a person's intent to move a limb or articulate a word.

A typical BCI system includes:

• Sensors: Detect brain activity.
• Interface: Processes the signals.
• External Device: Translates thought into action.

The result is nothing short of revolutionary: a cursor moves, a prosthetic hand reaches, a synthetic voice speaks.

Neuralink, in its promotional materials, paints a vivid picture. "Imagine the joy of connecting with your loved ones, browsing the web, or even playing games using only your thoughts," the narrator proclaims. The company refers to this capability as "telepathy."

Noland Arbaugh: A Pioneer's Experience

Neuralink propelled BCIs into the spotlight in early 2024, thanks to Noland Arbaugh, a man with paralysis who bravely shared his experiences.

A diving accident left Arbaugh unable to move from the shoulders down. At 29, he became the first recipient of Neuralink's device. A robot implanted over a thousand electrodes into his brain's motor cortex, and surgeons installed a wireless interface about the size of a quarter in his skull.

Weeks later, Arbaugh described his experience controlling a computer cursor: "It's freakin' wild," he said. "When I first moved it just by thinking, it blew my mind for like a day. I just could not wrap my head around it."

However, the initial success was followed by the retraction of some electrode threads, which reduced the device's sensitivity. Despite this, Neuralink has reportedly implanted its BCI in at least six other individuals, although details remain limited.

A Technology Decades in the Making

While Neuralink's surgical robots and wireless technology are cutting-edge, the fundamental concept of controlling a cursor with thought dates back decades.

Dr. Leigh Hochberg, affiliated with Brown University and Massachusetts General Hospital, was part of the pioneering team that demonstrated this in 2004. Their subject, Matt Nagle, used his thoughts to open an email, a moment Hochberg describes as filled with "a little bit of magic."

BrainGate, an academic consortium directed by Hochberg, has continued to advance the field. In June 2025, a BrainGate 2 BCI enabled a man with ALS to speak through a computer.

These experiments highlight the significant advancements in computer interfaces: monitoring thousands of neurons instead of a few dozen, utilizing wireless protocols, and interfacing with compact laptops or tablets.

Moreover, scientists are continually improving the accuracy and reliability of decoding brain activity through the use of artificial intelligence.

The Future of BCIs: Sensory Feedback and Specialization

The BCI field is becoming increasingly specialized, with some groups focused on decoding speech, others on improving robotic limb control, and even some on "putting information back into the brain" to add a sense of touch to robotic limbs.

The University of Pittsburgh is at the forefront of research in providing sensory feedback through BCIs. Jennifer Collinger explains that "You can't have fine and dextrous motor control with visual feedback alone," and that sensory feedback is crucial for natural responses.

Nathan Copeland, paralyzed in a car accident, experienced this firsthand when he used a robotic arm to bump fists with President Barack Obama in 2016. In 2021, he participated in a study demonstrating how sensory feedback improved his ability to grasp and manipulate objects with a prosthetic hand.

While advanced features like sensory feedback may not be in the first generation of commercially available devices, the initial offerings will likely focus on computer cursor control, building upon the foundation laid by BrainGate.

Companies like Precision Neuroscience are striving to develop wireless devices that allow individuals with paralysis to operate smartphones or computers. Michael Mager envisions users accessing news, entertainment, and productivity software with the same proficiency as able-bodied individuals, which could significantly enhance their quality of life and employment opportunities.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite the immense potential, BCIs face challenges. Precision's device avoids inserting electrodes into the brain, which Mager believes will make it safer and easier to gain FDA approval.

Synchron takes a different approach, delivering electrodes through blood vessels, eliminating the need to open the skull.

All BCI companies must grapple with the vast amounts of data generated by thousands of electrodes sampling brain activity thousands of times per second. Efficient data reduction and compression methods are essential.

The cost of conducting clinical trials required by the FDA also presents a significant obstacle, potentially reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.

Despite these challenges, Mager is optimistic that his company and others have the resources and expertise to transform the brain interface concept into a marketable product within the next two to three years.

Brain implants stand on the precipice of revolutionizing the lives of individuals with disabilities. With relentless innovation, these technologies are poised to unlock new levels of independence, communication, and connection to the world, ushering in an era of unprecedented possibilities.

Tags: Brain implants, disability tech, BCI, Neuralink, Elon Musk, brain-computer interface, assistive devices, mobility tech, speech tech, neural tech

Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/06/30/nx-s1-5339708/brain-computer-interface-implants-disabilities-neuralink