Neuralink Brain Chip Lets ALS Patient Type 25 WPM With Thoughts

Rahul Somavanshi

Brad Smith has become the third person to receive Elon Musk's Neuralink brain implant—and the first with ALS who can no longer speak.

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"I am typing this with my brain. It is my primary communication," Smith shared in a groundbreaking post on social media.

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How does this brain-computer connection actually work? The Neuralink device connects to Smith's motor cortex through 192 ultra-flexible threads.

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The quarter-sized implant captures neural signals and transmits them wirelessly to a computer where AI translates them into cursor movements.

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Smith's typing speed with the brain implant reaches 20-25 words per minute—far faster than the 3 words per minute typical with eye-tracking technology.

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Would you believe Smith edited an entire video using only his thoughts? It may be the first video ever produced using brain signals alone.

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The implant works with an AI-cloned version of Smith's voice, created from recordings made before he lost the ability to speak due to ALS.

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Thanks to Neuralink, Smith can now attend his son's robotics competitions, chat with neighbors at the park, and give talks at his church

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Neuralink has given me freedom, hope and faster communication," Smith explained, highlighting the profound impact on his daily life.

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Doctors acknowledge there are risks with brain implants, including infection and tissue damage—but the benefits for paralyzed patients could be life-changing.

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The global brain-computer interface market is expected to grow from $1.5 billion in 2023 to over $3 billion by 2030.

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Despite his ALS diagnosis, Smith maintains a positive outlook: "The big picture is I am happy... And I can control the computer with telepathy. Life is good.

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