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Neuralink is ready to test using its brain chip to control robotic arms.
The company's N1 brain-computer interface (BCI) was already implanted in at least two human patients. “We’re excited to announce the approval and launch of a new feasibility trial to extend BCI control using the N1 Implant to an investigational assistive robotic arm,” Neuralink tweeted.
This "CONVOY" study looks to restore autonomy for people with disabilities, especially quadriplegics, who can no longer control their limbs. "This is an important first step towards restoring not only digital freedom, but also physical freedom," the company added.
Neuralink previously talked about this capability after its first human patient, Noland Arbaugh, successfully used the N1 chip to control a mouse cursor on his PC. The chip reads brain signals and then translates them into Bluetooth-based commands that are sent to a device.
In August, the company surgically placed the chip into a second human patient and noted: "We plan to enable the Link [brain chip] to interact with the physical world, allowing users to feed themselves and move more independently by controlling a robotic arm or their wheelchair."
Neuralink didn’t say much else about the trial, including the country in which the study will take place. However, the company says patients who’ve already been accepted into its PRIME study to use the N1 chip can also enroll in the CONVOY trial. Last week, the company also expanded the PRIME study from the US to Canada.
Neuralink didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. But the FDA told PCMag that it "acknowledges and understands that Neuralink has announced approval of its investigational device exemption (IDE) for a new feasibility trial to extend BCI use of the N1 Implant to control an investigational assistive robotic arm."