Neuralink Implant Lets Man Play Mario Kart with His Mind
Vocabulary
Repeat each word, definition, and example sentence after your tutor.
paralyze
Verb
ˈpærəlaɪz
to make someone unable to feel or move part of their body
Shiori had a stroke last year which left her paralyzed from the waist down.
implant
Noun
ˈɪmplænt
something that is put into the body, usually via surgery
My dentist said the implant will cost around $3,000.
interface
Noun
ˈɪntərfeɪs
a device or program that allows two pieces of computer equipment to communicate
Bluetooth provides a wireless interface between smartphones and devices like headphones or speakers.
tap
Verb
tæp
to lightly hit someone or something
She tapped the microphone to check if it was working.
browse
Verb
braʊz
to look at something on the internet
I usually browse the internet for a couple of hours each evening.
independence
Noun
ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəns
the ability to do things without relying on others for assistance
Getting her driver's license gave Maria a new sense of independence and freedom.
Article
Neuralink Implant Lets Man Play Mario Kart with His Mind
An American man who is paralyzed below his neck is now able to play computer games with his mind, thanks to a brain implant created by Elon Musk's Neuralink Corp.
Noland Arbaugh, a 30-year-old who was paralyzed in a swimming accident almost eight years ago, became the first person to receive Neuralink's brain-computer interface (BCI) implant in January.
Before receiving his BCI implant, he was limited to tapping at an iPad or other device using a stick held in his mouth, and he found this difficult to use for a long period of time.
But now, thanks to his implant, he can play online computer games, browse the internet, and use applications on his laptop — all by moving a cursor with his mind.
On March 23, Noland shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) of a company meeting where he spoke to Neuralink staff about his experience with the implant.
At the meeting, Neuralink played some video clips of Noland playing Mario Kart with his stepfather, something he had said was one of the first things he wanted to do.
In the first clip, Noland shows impressive control as he races Bowser against Donkey Kong, and even manages to take out another player — all using just his mind.
A second clip shows Noland playing Mario Kart with his stepfather — something totally normal for most people, but something he wouldn't have been able to do without his implant.
Noland also told the Neuralink staff that he had been able to stay up all night playing the game Civilization VI, which he hadn't played since his accident, and that it was "amazing" and "so much fun."
Neuralink says in the future it wants the implant to be able to control physical technologies such as robotic arms and wheelchairs — giving people like Noland more independence.
Discussion
1.
What are your thoughts on Noland Arbaugh's BCI implant?
2.
Do you think BCI implants will become commonplace in the future?
3.
How do you think Noland felt when he played Mario Kart with the BCI implant?
4.
Have you ever stayed up all night playing a video game?
5.
Have you ever played Mario Kart or Civilization?
6.
What are the most exciting scientific discoveries or technological achievements you've heard about recently?
7.
What medical breakthroughs or discoveries do you hope you live to see?
8.
What would you say are the greatest inventions of all time?
9.
If you were a scientist, what kinds of technology would you want to develop?
