How Does Neuralink Give Paralyzed People Function Back?

Nworah Ayogu said healthcare often does a very good job of extending life and does not do a very good job of improving quality of life or giving people life back. Neuralink created an implantable device so people can interact with the world again. The device lets them control a computer with their minds. Motorized arms let them control a robotic arm to pick things and grab things. In another trial, Neuralink implanted the device in the vocal cortex so someone who was not able to speak could speak.

Neuralink now focuses on a lot of populations. One of the first was people with ALS or paralysis, whether through a disease or a car accident. A lot are veterans who served the country and no longer have usage of their arms and legs. Nworah Ayogu said they maybe were hit with an IED. Often they are young, 30 or 40, and no longer able to work, because work often needs hands and legs. They also cannot be outside playing with their children.

He said the core of Neuralink is using the implant so people can manipulate the outside world again. He added that Neuralink may not replace the arms and legs someone has lost, and states the implant can still give that functionality back.