Paralysed Woman Writes Her Name After 20 Years Using Only Her Mind—Thanks to Elon Musk’s Neuralink

Audrey Crews, who recently underwent a brain–computer interface surgery by Neuralink, has shared her remarkable progress. She can now write her name and play games using only her thoughts. This development marks the first time in 20 years that she has been able to perform such tasks.

Earlier this month, Neuralink, a company founded by Elon Musk, announced its achievement of completing two implant surgeries in one day. The procedures were conducted successfully, and the patients are currently recovering. "We successfully completed both P8 and P9 this weekend, our first time performing two surgeries in one day," the company posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Neuralink's Groundbreaking Technology

The core of Neuralink's technology is a device known as "The Link" or "N1 Implant." This small device is surgically implanted into the skull. From there, thin threads are inserted into specific brain regions like the motor cortex. These threads contain electrodes that detect electrical signals from neurons.

Crews identified herself as "P9" and expressed excitement about sharing her journey with the world. "I would like to announce that I am P9. I am the first woman in the world with a Neuralink BCI. I can't wait for the world to meet me and follow me on my journey," she wrote on X.

How Neuralink Works

The implant captures neural signals when an individual thinks of an action. These signals are then transmitted wirelessly to an external device like a computer. Algorithms interpret these signals and convert them into commands for digital interfaces.

Crews underwent surgery at the University of Miami Health Centre to receive her Neuralink implant. The procedure involved drilling a small hole in her skull and placing 128 threads into her motor cortex with robotic assistance for precision.

Audrey Crews' Journey

Crews shared that she had been paralysed for 20 years before undergoing surgery to regain some abilities. Now, she can write her name for the first time since her injury. "I tried writing my name for the first time in 20 years. I'm working on it," she posted.

Elon Musk also commented on Crews' story: "She is controlling her computer just by thinking. Most people don't realise this is possible." This highlights how Neuralink aims to help individuals with severe paralysis or neurological conditions interact with digital devices through thought alone.

The chip used in Crews' surgery is roughly the size of a 10p coin. She mentioned that while it allows telepathic control of electronic devices, it won't enable walking or movement recovery. Crews continues to update followers on her recovery progress, showcasing how she can play games, write, and draw on a computer screen simply by thinking.