Neuralink Demonstrates Thought-Controlled Wheelchair Navigation
Clinical trial participants control powered wheelchairs using Neuralink brain implants.
Neuralink shared video from its ongoing clinical trials showing participants with paralysis using brain implants to drive powered wheelchairs. Neural signals from the motor cortex are decoded by machine learning to move a cursor that steers the chair forward, reverse, or adjusts seating. The system builds on prior cursor control work to restore physical autonomy in real-world settings. Devices remain investigational without FDA approval, and outcomes may vary among participants. The company states this is early progress toward independent mobility for those with limited movement.
We've been exploring how clinical trial participants can control a powered wheelchair — with their minds. Here's how we’re doing it 🧵
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9 postsThe Neuralink implant has over 1,000 electrodes sitting across over 100 threads, each thinner than a human hair and inserted into the motor cortex by our surgical robot. The electrodes record the activity of neurons that fire as a participant intends to move.
Our participants see a live video feed from a wheelchair mounted camera. As they move the cursor with their thoughts, they can drive forward, reverse, steer, and even adjust seating positions.
A machine learning model maps that neural activity to a computer cursor moving up, down, left, and right. The result is a decoding algorithm that enables the participant to control the cursor with their thoughts.
We're studying how participants can navigate real-world environments using this system. There’s more to do, but this provides a glimpse into how Neuralink can help restore independent mobility for people with paralysis.
Neuralink devices are investigational and have not been approved by the FDA or other regulatory authorities. This video features voluntary clinical trial participants sharing their personal experiences, which may not reflect all participants or future outcomes.
We first started with giving computer control back to those who’d lost it, now making progress on restoring physical world autonomy too. This is just the tip of the iceberg. So much more is possible with continued effort!
We've been exploring how clinical trial participants can control a powered wheelchair — with their minds. Here's how we’re doing it 🧵