Elon Musk‘s brain-computer interface (BCI) venture, Neuralink, recently performed its second surgery just a few weeks ago. During this operation, a second patient named Alex had a chip developed by the company implanted in his brain. It has now been revealed that Alex played the popular competitive game Counter-Strike 2 using only his thoughts.
Equipped with Neuralink’s “Link” chip, Alex has achieved a new milestone in the tech world by playing Counter-Strike 2 using only his thoughts. After undergoing surgery last month at the Barrow Neurological Institute, Alex quickly began effectively using this new technology. As soon as he started testing the chip, he was able to control his computer’s cursor with just his thoughts, and within hours, he surpassed the speed and accuracy limits of all the assistive technologies he had previously used.
Neuralink stated that this development marks a significant step towards providing a performance-enhancing interface for controlling digital devices, especially for individuals who are unable to use all four limbs. On the second day after receiving the Link implant, Alex used computer-aided design (CAD) software Fusion 360 for the first time to design a custom mounting part for the Neuralink charger, which was later 3D printed and integrated into the BCI hardware. Alex can now use CAD software to design 3D objects, thereby improving his independent work abilities.
Working with Alex, Neuralink aims to increase his productivity with Link by mapping intended movements to different types of mouse clicks (left, right, middle) and allowing him to quickly switch between various modes in the CAD software (zoom, scroll, pan, click, and drag).
By mastering the Link interface, Alex broke the previous record set by the first BCI patient and continued to independently test the limits of the Link. Recognizing Alex’s passion for gaming, Neuralink gave him the opportunity to play Counter-Strike 2 using only brain power. Previously, Alex, who is paralyzed in all four limbs, used a mouth-controlled joystick called Quadstick to play games. However, due to Quadstick’s limited mobility, his gaming experience was restricted. Thanks to the Neuralink chip, Alex can now aim while moving in the game, enhancing his gaming experience in ways that were previously impossible.
While using Link, Alex can simultaneously use his Quadstick to move and aim, leading to a much better gaming experience. Reflecting on this, Alex said, “Just running around is so much fun because I can look around without having to move the Quadstick… I just think about where I want to look, and it goes there. It’s crazy.”
Elon Musk, in a statement on X, said, “If all goes well, hundreds of people will have Neuralink within a few years, maybe tens of thousands in 5 years, and millions in 10 years…” Neuralink’s blog update indicated that Alex has not experienced any health issues, and the problems observed in the first patient have not occurred. Neuralink plans to perform surgeries on a total of 10 patients in 2024.
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